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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The Rev. William Eugene Gillam

The Rev. William Eugene Gillam, vicar of Matthew's, was born in London in 1856, and is the son of Mr. George Harry Gillam, architect, of that city. Mr. Gillam was educated at the primary schools and afterwards studied law at Ulverstone, Lancashire, for five years, but finally
Rev. W. E. Gillam.

Rev. W. E. Gillam.

decided to join the Wesleyan ministry, and became a student at Richmond Theological College, where he remained nearly three years. He left London in 1879, arrived at Wellington page 217 in the same year, and was appointed minister of the Durham Street Wesleyan Church, Christ-church. In consequence of severe illness he was compelled to relinquish his ministerial duties for a considerable time, and on recovery he joined the Church of England. He was ordained deacon in 1882 and priest in 1884 at Christchurch Cathedral, by the late Primate, Bishop Harper. Mr. Gillam was appointed curate of Ross and Okarito in Westland, where he remained two years, when he received the incumbency of St. Matthews, Christchurch, which was greatly enlarged during his cure. He afterwards succeeded the late Archdeacon B. W. Dudley as incumbent of Rangiora, Canterbury, and remained there for about five years, when he became incumbent of Temuka, near Timaru, and held that important post for eighteen months, when he was compelled to resign and leave for Auckland in consequence of a death and severe illness in his family. On arriving in Auckland he was made vicar of Ellerslie and Epsom, and during his incumbency the church at Epsom was enlarged and rebuilt, and his parishioners erected a handsome vicarage at Ellerslie. He became vicar of St. Matthews in February, 1900. Mr. Gillam was a member of the standing committee of the Canterbury diocese for two years, and also held a similar appointment in the Auckland diocese for one year. He is a Freemason and was initiated in Ross Lodge in 1882 and afterwards held the office of Senior Warden in Lodge Temuka, and chaplain of Royal Arch Chapter, Timaru.