| Much-loved dean could light up a room
with his smile |
|
A delightful host with a sharp
wit
March
18, 2004
LEFROY ROAD
(Gresham Road)
IN A quiet corner of a churchyard in the beautiful
Swiss Alps facing the Zermatt Valley and the majestic
Matterhorn there is a grave, the last resting place
of an extraordinary man who opened up Norwich Cathedral
for the people.
 |
| The Rev William Lefroy, who
was well loved by the people of Norwich, and main,
the Riffel Alp Church in Switzerland, where he is
buried. |
His name was William Lefroy and his death on holiday
at the Riffel Alp in Switzerland in 1909 shocked the
people of Norwich.
The Very Rev William Lefroy was an Irishman — described
as a “man of action” who took the city by
storm when he first arrived to become dean in 1889.
During his 10 years in Norwich, he went out and about
to meet the people, encouraging them to attend the cathedral,
where he set up special services for them.
He was a famous preacher who loved a platform and could
hold a congregation in the palm of his hand.
At the time of his death the Evening News wrote: “The
explosiveness of his wrath was only equalled by the
charming geniality of his normal manner.
“He could flood any room with sunshine whenever
he chose. He was a most delightful host and a guest
sought after from one end of England to another.
“He was the wit and raconteur of any party who
were fortunate to have him in their midst,” we
reported.
Born in Dublin in 1836, he had a number of church appointments,
and was one of the first honorary canons of Liverpool
Cathedral, before arriving in Norwich.
“He scented battle like a war-horse and he packed
his vocabulary for controversial purposes as a soldier
would stock his ammunition case,” said the Evening
News.
Lefroy was also a great boxing fan and he went out and
about on the streets of Norwich mixing with the families
in the slums — encouraging them to attend the cathedral
where he started up the special Nave Services for the
people.
Every year he spent his holidays in the Swiss Alps,
where he helped to build the church at Riffel where
he is buried.
He died there in the summer of 1909. A memorial service
was held at a packed Norwich Cathedral at the same time
as the funeral
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