Henry Govett
Date of birth / Date established
1819
Date of death / Date closed
1903
Person/Corporate type
Individual
Biography
Born in 1819, Henry Govett came to NZ on the Union, arriving in Auckland in 1843. His early years in the colony were spent in the company of Bishop Selwyn, before travelling the west coast of the North Island, visiting missions.. In 1845 he was ordained deacon in the Church of England at Wellington.
He married Margaret Hunter in 1847, and was ordained as priest at Auckland in the same year. In 1848, Govett was sent to New Plymouth to continue the work of his friend Reverend Bolland who had recently died. He was appointed as Vicar of St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth 1848. He served at St Mary's in New Plymouth administering to both European and Maori congregations. In 1859 Taranaki was created an archdeaconry of the Diocese of Auckland and Govett was appointed Archdeacon, while still retaining the parish of St Mary's, a position he held until 1898. With failing health, he resigned the archdeaconry in January and died in October 1903 and was buried in the churchyard beside William Bolland.
He married Margaret Hunter in 1847, and was ordained as priest at Auckland in the same year. In 1848, Govett was sent to New Plymouth to continue the work of his friend Reverend Bolland who had recently died. He was appointed as Vicar of St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth 1848. He served at St Mary's in New Plymouth administering to both European and Maori congregations. In 1859 Taranaki was created an archdeaconry of the Diocese of Auckland and Govett was appointed Archdeacon, while still retaining the parish of St Mary's, a position he held until 1898. With failing health, he resigned the archdeaconry in January and died in October 1903 and was buried in the churchyard beside William Bolland.
![St Mary's Church, New Plymouth [plans]; 1904-1914; ARC2009-150](https://collection.pukeariki.com/records/images/medium/78998/916d2cb3ba0233ef739d83dfc01c6f32c42da8e6.jpg)