Charles Herbert Young (c. 1853 – April 1938), commonly referred to as C. H. Young, was an Anglican priest in Tasmania and South Australia. He had a highly public conflict with Church hierarchy in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
Young was appointed curate, Holy Trinity, Launceston, 1886[3]–1892[4] then in 1892 he substituted for Rev. John Caton at Holy Trinity Church, Coburg. He was appointed rector of St George's Church, Adelaide in 1893 and Holy Trinity Church, Melrose, South Australia 1894–1896. He was then transferred by the Bishop of Perth to be rector of Kalgoorlie in 1896, arriving in time to take the Christmas Day services. In late September 1897 he was dismissed by the Dean of Perth, Frederick Goldsmith,[5] his duties in Kalgoorlie being taken by Rev. E. Gordon Savile, and those at Boulder by Rev. E. Collick, the two towns being around 5km apart. His last official act was officiating at an up-market wedding.[6]
His notice of dismissal, with no reason given, was published by the local paper, fanning rumors of all kinds of misdemeanors.
Before leaving Kalgoorlie he gave one last sermon at the Presbyterian Church, which was crowded with well-wishers, including a great many Anglicans.[7]
Young believed his dismissal followed complaints to Dean Goldsmith from the Archdeacon of Coolgardie that he (Young) had neglected ministration to the sick and dying, but in truth because he rejected the formalism of the high church and "I deem it an honor to be despised by you", quoting from Scripture (Mark 12:38) "Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market places, and the chief seats in the synagogues and the uppermost rooms at feasts : which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers".[8]
The Church, in its West Australian Church News, doubled down on its earlier statements, adding that Young's erstwhile position was "priest in charge", not "Rector" (a permanent employee), so was employed at the pleasure of the diocese.[9]
Their arguments were largely contradicted by one of Young's chief apologists, who mentioned that a testimonial fund had raised a little over £120 for his benefit.[10]
Young arrived in Adelaide, where his family had a residence.[8] on 8 November[11]
He filled several South Australian pulpits — Anglican, Presbyterian and Wesleyan. He was several months at the Presbyterian Church at Wallaroo, where he gave a series of popular lectures.[12]
He served as Presbyterian minister in Ulverstone, Tasmania 1899–1903, then the Anglican church in Wynyard, Tasmania 1903[13]–1908,[14] when he was made vicar of Tasman's Peninsula, then vicar of Sheffield. He left Tasmania for England in July, 1914.[15]
^"Items of News". The Kalgoorlie Miner. Vol. II, no. 569. Western Australia. 30 September 1897. p. 2. Retrieved 27 June 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
^"The Rev C. H. Young". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 13 November 1897. p. 8. Retrieved 27 June 2024 – via National Library of Australia. A concise summary, sympathetic to Young
^""Church News"". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. LXIII, no. 183. Tasmania, Australia. 3 August 1903. p. 6. Retrieved 27 June 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Personal". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. XC, no. 12, 001. Tasmania, Australia. 3 September 1908. p. 5. Retrieved 27 June 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
^"About People". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. LXXIII, no. 153. Tasmania, Australia. 29 June 1914. p. 5. Retrieved 27 June 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Prominent Persons". The Mail (Adelaide). Vol. 15, no. 764. South Australia. 15 January 1927. p. 2. Retrieved 27 June 2024 – via National Library of Australia.