Devoted priest dies on his 86th birthday

The Rev. Canon John B. Moorhouse, a retired Anglican priest from the diocese of Rupert’s Land, loved robust discussion of history and philosophy over a cold beer. Moorhouse died Sept. 26, on his 86th birthday.

“John was a very soft-spoken guy,” recalls The Rev. Canon Peter Davison, retired priest from All Saints Anglican, in Vernon,, B.C.. “He was one of those quiet and devoted people.”

In an obituary published by the Vernon Morning Star, Moorhouse’s family noted his faith, his inclusive sense of community and his fondness for sweets and bacon.

Prior to his retirement in 1986, Moorhouse served as Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of St. John, as well as honorary assistant to the Very Rev. James Setter, dean of St. John’s Cathedral in Winnipeg.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Moorhouse was a graduate of Trinity College in the University of Toronto, and the Union Theological Seminary in New York. He was ordained an Anglican priest in 1952.

Moorhouse served parishes in Wainwright, Alta., and Portage La Prairie, Man., from 1952 to 1959.  He moved to Toronto to work as an associate secretary of the national church office’s now defunct General Board of Religious Education from 1960 to 1965.

Moorhouse returned to parish ministry in 1965, serving in Penticton, B.C. until 1969, and later, in Winnipeg.  Moorhouse served as incumbent at Holy Trinity and St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, both in Winnipeg, and district dean of the southwest Winnipeg deanery.

In 1986, Moorhouse retired to Sidney B.C. and upon the death of his wife, Marion, in 1992, moved to Vernon, in the south central region of B.C.  In 1995, he married Grace and they were both active members of All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon.

A funeral service for Moorhouse was held Sept. 28, at All Saints Anglican Church.

Moorhouse is survived by his wife, Grace, and her family, and his children and grandchildren.

– With files from the diocese of Rupert’s Land website and the General Synod archives