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Minutes of the General Assembly 2012
Downard, Reverend Wilfrid Charles
24 March 1920 – 20 October 2010
Wilf was born in Wellington on 24 March 1920. His parents moved to Auckland shortly
after Wilf's birth, first to Mt Eden then to Takapuna.
Wilf was educated at Belmont Primary School and Takapuna Grammar School. In
1937, Wilf joined H. M. Customs Department in Auckland, and the following year he
began evening classes at Auckland University, studying for an arts degree.
Wilf joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1941. He saw service overseas between
1941 and 1944 in Singapore, Java, and Ceylon. At the end of the war, he was
seconded to the staff of the personnel branch in the Navy Office, Wellington.
Back in1939, Wilf felt called to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, but it wasn't
until late 1946 that he was able to become a student for the ministry. He was a
member, Bible class leader, and then an elder of Wellington's St Andrew’s Church.
From 1947-1949, Wilf completed the BA and MA in Philosophy at Victoria University,
initially working part-time in H.M. Customs in Wellington.
From 1950-1952, Wilf studied at Knox College, Dunedin. He won the top scholarship in
his year to attend the College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity, and in 1953,
he was ordained and inducted to his first parish, Woodville.
In 1954, Wilf married Annette McLaren. They had three children, Rosemary, Alison,
and Paul. Annette was a strong and active supporter in Wilf’s ministry.
In 1963, Wilf was called to the Huntly Parish. In later years, Wilf wrote, “Of my Ministry
I would mention especially the Huntly Parish to which I was clearly and unmistakenly
called by God … following the sad disruption of the congregation and the special
meeting of General Assembly which ended the previous Ministry … we had ten very
happy years there … And I, personally, regard this as the most creative contribution I
have made to the Church."
In 1973, Wilf was called to the Te Puke Parish where, sadly, in 1981, his wife Annette
died. He retired to Tauranga four years later.
From 1956-1976, Wilf provided a column for The Outlook, the official magazine of the
Presbyterian Church, entitled "Thinking Aloud" by Nota Bene. This contribution was
much appreciated by the editor and many readers.
During his time in Bay of Plenty Presbytery, Wilf was convener of the Business
Committee for five years, moderator of the Presbytery, and interim moderator of five
parishes. His administrative work was efficient, always had the right word for any
occasion, had detailed knowledge of Church law, and a keen sense of humour.
Wilf was a faithful minister, a very keen thinker, a wise counsellor, with defining
characteristics of brevity, clarity, and warmth. A prolific writer and recorder of his ideas
and his learning, he willingly shared his many carefully typed study notes with
colleagues, and his booklet for the bereaved entitled "From Knock to Normality"
continues to be used in some Bay of Plenty churches.
In 1988, Wilf married Phyllis Barrett, and together they actively supported the ministry
at St Columba, Otumoetai, where they were very much loved and appreciated.
18 Session 2