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Late Canon A. Davies.
​Queensland people within the fold of the Church of England, and others who were acquainted with him, will regret to learn of the death of the Rev. Alfred Davies, honorary Canon of St. John's, Brisbane. He passed away yesterday at his home of retirement in Leura, in the Blue Mountains. The late Canon was born in England 64 years ago, and he made a health trip to Australia when a young man. The climate proved so agreeable that he decided to settle here, and he secured early appointments in the country as a lay reader. He was made a deacon in 1892, and was sent to Ipswich, where he remained for six years. During that period he was inducted to the priesthood. A removal was then made to St. Paul's, Roma, and in 1902 he was sent to St. James', Toowoomba, in which city he was destined to spend a great part of his religious life. He was rector of St. Matthew's, Drayton, from to 1906, and was installed as mission chaplain in 1908. The following year saw him at St. Luke's, Toowoomba, and then followed transfers to All Saints', Clifton, and St. James' Toowoomba. He was rector at the last named church from 1913 to 1925, and from 1921 on he held the high office of Reverend Dean of Toowoomba. Although he had adopted Australia as his home, the late Canon did not neglect his family in England, and he made two or three visits back to them. On the last of these, about two years ago. his wife died, and he returned to Australia in practical retirement. He still held the title of Honorary Canon of St. John's, Brisbane, which had been conferred upon him in 1920, and during last year he was locum tenens at St. Andrew's, South Brisbane. The late Canon was of the evangelical type, and one of the most saintly men in the calling. He was a faithful parish priest, and was held in the highest esteem by both clergy and laymen. His marriage had been childless, and he left no blood relatives in Australia. He has one sister, and two or three brothers living in England. It is interesting to note that the only other names in the first official Year Book of the Diocese (1890)that are still on the roll are those of Canon Walter Thompson, New Farm, and the Rev. J. D. Anderson. The first position filled by the late Canon was that of assistant curate to Rev. H. Meeres, Ipswich, who was responsible for the building of St. Andrew's, South Brisbane, where he held his last office.

The Brisbane Courier, Thursday 3 July 1930

Throughout his ministry he focused his interest upon overseas missions. Due to his personal contribution, the library at Dogura, the headquarters of the New Guinea Mission, was built. Rev. Davies encouraged St. James' parishioners to become a mission-focused parish, and this support has continued throughout the years.
In 1920 he was made an Honorary Canon of St. John's Cathedral, and in 1921 was appointed Rural Dean.
Canon Davies was responsible for purchasing land on the corner of Jellicoe and Allan Streets, and moving the 'Mission Hall' Ruthven Street to this site, to become St. Thomas' Church. This was dedicated on St. Thomas' Day, 1920. Regular services were held here, and congregation numbers steadily increased.
In 1920, a tribute to the parishioners who lost their lives during World War I was made with the dedication to two stained glass windows in St. James'representing 'Justice' and 'St. George'. A brass plaque was erected on the south wall between these windows, with the names of forty-six parishioners who paid the supreme sacrifice.
Canon Davies won the affection of all those he ministered to during his twelve years as Rector. He resigned from St. James' in 1925 to take up a position at St. Andrew's Church, South Brisbane.

'A Turbulent Half Century' - St. James' Celebrates 140 years
Courtesy of St. James' Church, Toowoomba