Announcement of Our New Vicar
The Vicar of Hampton, the Rev. C. P. C. Knapp, M.A., who is Patron of the Benefice of St. James’, Hampton Hill, attended a meeting of the Parochial Church Council in the Vestry on Thursday. November 16th, and informed the Council that he had offered the living to the Rev. Rupert. Hoyle Brunt, B.A., A.K.C., Vicar of St. Faith’s N. Wilford. Nottingham, and that it had been accepted by him.

In the name of the Church and Parish we extend most hearty greetings to him, to Mrs. Brunt, and their family, and pray that their coming amongst us may he richly blessed and his ministry crowned with success.

We hope that our next issue will contain a New Year Message from our Vicar Designate.

Edward V. Beckett, William F. Wigginton, Churchwardens

Source: The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine - 1950 December

Message from our Future Vicar
One thing that has greatly impressed me as a result of the contacts which I have already had is the loyal and efficient way in which St. James’s is now being served, and has been served, in not very easy times. When I have heard these things all those who are so faithfully maintaining the work and witness of St. James’s in the parish are people after my own heart, and it will be a joy and privilege to work with them as their vicar.

What exactly will our task be? Well, that is something we shall have to think out together when I am actually with you. Two phrases which have been much used in recent years do help us to see part of it is - “going to church” and “being the Church.” Both are important but we have in the past often stressed the first and neglected the second. “To be the Church” - that is the primary duty that is laid upon us; really to be in Hampton Hill the fellowship in Christ God wills us to be. To be this in our worship and in our work; to be this in all our planning and playing, in all our thought and action together. This is a very big thing indeed, and all of us have our part to play in working to achieve it.

It is perhaps not often that a man comes back as vicar to the church in which he was married! But I think it is a very happy link to have, because it means that the church already has a warm corner in our hearts. We start with this affection for it; it is not something which we have to wait to grow. And my wife, a Londoner born and bred is coming back to a district in which she spent four happy years. Chiswick became my home just before I was eleven and I have often rowed from Kew to Hampton Court on the river. So we feel we are not coming to strangers in a strange parish, but are in a sense “coming home” - but not to rest, but to work with you and for you, to the best of our ability and to the utmost of our strength, in the service of God.

As for the aspiration, a non-church witness has paid tribute to its success Mr and Mrs Brunt were ahead of their time, they made this a Christian parish in the widest sense. Long may it remain so.” And as to the vow, expressed above, before they came to us, Connie and Rupert truly gave to us the best of their ability to the utmost of their strength.

Also in the same Magazine, January 1951, appears this tribute: “Sincere thanks to Mr J. Thompson for providing and erecting the beautiful Christmas Tree used for the Childrens’ Toy Service also to Mrs. Thompson and David for supplying and fixing the lights and many decorations.”

This gift which ushered in the new Ministry continued to be supplied by Mr and Mrs Thompson until the very last Christmas of Rupert and Connie’s Ministry with us, and our grateful thanks, too, go out thirty years later to the Thompsons’ for all the joy they have given to decades of St. James’s worshippers.

Source: Margery Orton, Hampton Hill Parish Magazine, 1951 January

The Institution and Induction
St. James’s Church was packed on the evening of Friday, March 16th, at the Institution and Induction of our new vicar, the Rev. R. H. Brunt. A really crowded church, with all pews filled, added to the sincere spirit of worship and prayer which everyone had come to offer on this very important occasion. One had the feeling of belonging to a very large family, all gathered to welcome two people whom they were prepared to love.

The solemnity of the service and the tradition of its form was made very real as the Archdeacon led the newly appointed vicar to the door of the church and laid his hand on the key; the vicar then tolled the bell to signify his taking possesson; the Bishop and the Archdeacon then accompanied him first to the font, then to the Prayer Desk, the Lecturn, the Pulpit and finally to the Sanctuary, enumerating the various spiritual duties to be performed. These visual parts of the Service were most impressive.

The congregation will remember the Bishop’s fine sermon and his appeal to the people not to sit back now that a new vicar had come to the parish and let him do the work alone, but to work with him, with enthusiasm, sharing if possible his burdens, and going forward together.

The answer to this must have been echoed in many hearts: “I will so do, the Lord being my helper.”

Source: Hannah Stanton, Hampton Hill Parish Magazine, 1951 April