Reverend Frederick James Sivyer

One of the more popular Sivyer christian names is Frederick James. Many of those with the name Frederick James Sivyer have led interesting lives. This is the story of one of those. A person who contributed his life to a definite calling or was driven to contribute to the lives of others. Hopefully you will read the full story of this Frederick James and reflect upon him as a person and the life he led. 


The Reverend Frederick James (F. J.) Sivyer

This particular Frederick James or F. J. Sivyer as he was known as was the great grandson of James and Harriet Sivyer descended down through Spencer Spencer and Elizabeth Bathgate. He was the sixth child and youngest son of James Spencer Alexander Sivyer and Rose Adeline Dawson. James Spencer Alexander his father was the oldest child of Spencer and Elizabeth Sivyer. Frederick James Sivyer was born March 4, 1888 in Gympie. 

It is currently not known what led F. J. to the ministry. It is well documented that many of the Sivyer families who emigrated had continued to follow the Wesleyan Methodist religion and were prominent in church activities within their own communities. There is a possibility that James Spencer Alexander and family moved from the traditional Wesleyan Methodist faith to the new Church of Christ ministry when it established itself in Gympie in 1886. If so Frederick James's development as a person and personal growth would have paralleled the growth of the Church of Christ in Gympie. This could be a logical explanation that led him to the newly established Church of Christ, College of The Bible in Melbourne. The Bible College was established in 1907. 

The following is taken from the Church of Christ, Gympie website.

The Gympie Church of Christ was founded on August 8, 1886 with a meeting held in the home of a Mrs Cane of Horseshoe Bend. As the congregation grew too big for home meetings, the Drum and Fife Band Hall was used as a meeting place, then once again growing numbers forced a move to the Oddfellows Hall on Red Hill. Several outreach missions were held and the interest was so great it was decided to erect a church building.

James Spencer Alexander and family were all listed as living in Hilton Road, Gympie on the 1909 electoral roll. James Spencer Alexander and son James Spencer were listed as a carter. A carter were people who the equivalent of the transporting of goods in today's world only horse and cart or wagons were used. Frederick James was listed as a shop assistant. Of interest here is that his sisters Mona Lillian and Adeline Alice Eliza lived at 19 Hilton Road in 1948. Adeline was a school teacher and Mona it is believed ran a shop in Hilton 
Road.

F. J. Sivyer and Melbourne Life

In establishing when F. J. moved to Melbourne and the Church of Christ, College of the Bible newspaper reference information published after his death states that he spent six years at the College of The Bible in Melbourne. On the electoral rolls of 1912 F. J. Sivyer is listed as a student living at York Road, Malvern East. 

The earliest paper report of his ministry is November 1913. This was at Warrugal Church of Christ and the advertisement states new church. When he completed this position at the Box Hill Church and was moving to Essendon in 1915. The newspaper report informing of F. J. SIvyer moving to Essendon states that his position was being taking by a graduate from the College of The Bible.  

In summarising this information it is difficult to define when he did move to Melbourne from Gympie. There are two possible outcomes. The first is that he was studying at the College of The Bible whilst still ministering in the church. His newspaper advertisements for church services has his position stated as evangelist. The second outcome is that he moved to the College of The Bible in Melbourne when it started in 1907 and when graduating in 1913 took up a position at the church at Box Hill or Warrugal. The second outcome is difficult to support as he was listed as a student in 1916 but had been advertising as an evangelist for services at Box Hill from 1913. From electoral roll information in 1919 he is listed as a minister and living with his recently married wife, Florence Beatrice. His move from Gympie to Melbourne appears to have been around 1910.

Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), Friday 8 October 1915, page 7

BOX HILL MINISTER FAREWELLED. On Thursday evening, September 30, Mr. F. J. Sivyer, minister of the Church of Christ,, Box Hill, was tendered a farewell, by the members of his congregation. Mr. Sivyer's ministry of a year and a half was much appreciated by the members. He resigned his work here to enter a larger field in Essendon. As a mark of appreciation, Mr. Sivyer was presented with a purse of money, and speeches eulogistic of his ministry were made by representatives of the different auxiliaries of the church. During the evening, musical items were rendered, and games were played, after which refreshments were served. 

West Gippsland Gazette (Warragul, Vic.1898 - 1930), Tuesday 11 November 1913, page 2

CHURCH OF CHRIST. Evangelistic Services, New Church, Warragul, every Lord's Day, Evening at 7.30.--Mr F. J. Sivyer, Evangelist.

In November 1914 he took up the position as pastor of the Church of Christ Essendon. From Essendon he moved to the church at Moreland. The following though extensive is a tribute to his work and an insight into his characteristics as a person.

Flemington Spectator (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), Thursday 8 August 1918, page 1

CHURCH NEWS - ----+----ESSENDON CHURCH OF CHRIST. On Thursday evening last a large number of members and adherents of the Essendon Church of Christ. and a fair sprinkling of visitors net at St. Jolhn's schoolroom, for the dual purpose of farewelling Mr. F. J. Sivyer. who has ministered to the church at Essendon since its inception three years ago, and who is passing on to the Moreland church. and to welcome Mr. R.K. Whateley. who is taking charge of the church at Essendon. Mr. A. R. Main M.A.,. Principal of the College of the Bible. expressed himself as being both sorry and glad. Sorry because Mr. Sivyer was leaving, and glad that another good man was to take his place. The progress of the Essendon church had been very gratifying, and testified to the ability of the preacher: and now that Mr. Sivyer had decided to leave Essendon and continue the work at Moreland, the latter would gain a man in every way fitted for carrying on the good work. He trusted that Mr. Whately would receive the same support as had been given to Mr. Sirvyer. and hoped the church would continue to prosper. Mr. Reg. Ennis, who had been linked with all the important events in the history of the Essendon church, having opened the first meeting, preached the first service. had a voice in the appointment of Mr. Sivyer as the first minister, been present at the meeting when the money -had been subscribed for the purchase of land for the new church. and was now interested in the coming of the second preacher. spoke in eloquent terms of Mr. Sivyer's work at Essendon, where, from a very small beginning the church had tmade rapid strides. Mr. Sivyer had been honoured by the call to Moreland, and was just the man to lead that church on to great things. Mr. Whateley came with splendid qualifications, and was a worthy successor, and he felt sure the church would stand by him. He hoped the next chapter in Essendon's history would be the building of the new church. Mr. Jones. of the- Newmarket church, had always admired Mr. Sivyer's fine Christian character and his consistency. Changes in a young preacher's life were educational and the experience gained would be invaluable. He was glad Mr. Sivyer carried the good wishes of the Essendon people and he would watch his work at Moreland with interest. The church had done wisely in choosing Mr. Whateley to succeed Mr. Sivyer, and with such a splendid  hand of workers at Essendon to stand by him, his success was assured. Rev. Alex. Steele. secretary of the Essendon Preachers' Fraternal Union. apologised for the absence of the president (Rev. A. Madtsen) and for Rev. E. Schwieger. He had found Mr. Sivyer always prepared to unite for the good of the community, and esteemed him very much. The best men were needed to grapple with the problems of the present time, and it was a great opportunity for the young men. He knew Mr. Sivyer would prove true and faithftul in his new sphere of labour. He extended a warm welcome to Mr. Whateley, and trusted he would follow in Mr. Sivyer s footsteps. Mr. W. A. Kemp on behalf of the Essendon church, bade good-bye to Mr. Sivyer. Nothing that the previous speakers had said was too good for Mr. Sivyer. He had come at the beginning, and had had all the hard work of establishing the church. He was always prepared, and had always something good to say. In the Sunday School. Mr. Sivyer's work had been appreciated, the children having a great affection for him. ......Mr. Sivyer took a live interest in the various bodies connected with the church, such as the Sunday School, Children's Church Attendance League. Girls' Club, Boys' Club, etc., each of which presented him with a gift to mark the pleasant times that head been spent during the three years he had been connected with the church.

In 1919 Frederick James Sivyer married Florence Beatrice Lodding. They had a daughter Gwendoline born in  

Whilst still working as a minister in his church Frederick James attended the University of Melbourne and graduated in April 1920 with a Bachelor of Arts. 

F.J. Sivyer and New Zealand

In January 1928 F. J. Sivyer made a decision to move to Nelson, New Zealand and take up a position there with the Church of Christ. Why this decision was made will never be known but it was a move obviously in line with his faith. 

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 14 January 1928, page 20

Mr. F. J. Sivyer, minister of the Church of Christ, Essendon, has accepted a call to the pastorate of the church at Nelson (N.Z.).

NELSON NEWS EVENING POST, VOLUME CV, ISSUE 95, 23 APRIL 1928

An enthusiastic meeting of the Waimea Church of Christ last evening welcomed the new pastor, Mr. F. J. Sivyer, B.A., and his wife. The Rev. I. J. Ralph, representing the local Ministers' Association, gave a cordial welcome on behalf of that body. Mr. Sivyer is a graduate of Melbourne University, and comes here with the highest credentials. 

Death of F. J. Sivyer

NELSON NEWSEVENING POST, ISSUE 99, 24 OCTOBER 1934

The half-yearly conference of the Churches of Christ of the Nelson district was held on Labour Day at Richmond. The morning portion of the function took the form of a picnic. Reference was made to those who had passed away since last conference, with special reference to tho late Mr. F. J. Sivyer, who had done so much to make the district conferences tho great successes they now wore, and to his untiring energy and zeal for the cause of Christ. Resolutions to this effect were placed on record, followed by tho singing of "Peace, Perfect Peace." 

EVENING POST, VOLUME CXVIII, ISSUE 56, 4 SEPTEMBER 1934

PASTOR F. J. SIVYER, B.A., in charge of the Church of Christ, Nelson, who died suddenly just before Sunday evening's service. He had been stationed at Nelson for the past six years.

EVENING POST, VOLUME CXVIII, ISSUE 55, 3 SEPTEMBER 1934

Pastor F. J. Sivyer, B.A. in charge of the Church of Christ i.at Nelson, died suddenly last evening, states' a Press Association message from Nelson. He had intended to preach at the evening service, but had a seizure at 6 p.m., and expired soon afterwards;. He was born in Queensland, and for six years was a student at the College of the: Bible, Glen Iris, Melbourne, before taking a degree at Melbourne University. He. accepted a call to Nelson six years ago.

WAIRARAPA DAILY TIMES, 3 SEPTEMBER 1934

SUDDEN DEATH OF NELSON PASTOR. 

NELSON, This Day. Pastor F. J. Sivyer, in charge of the Church of Christ, Nelson, died suddenly last night. Deceased had intended to preach at the evening service but had a seizure at six p.m. and expired soon afterwards. He accepted a call to Nelson six years ago. —(P.A.)

NELSON NEWS

LATE PASTOR SIVYER

FUNERAL SERVICES

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

NELSON, September 5, 1934

The funeral of the late Pastor F. J. Sivyer, B. A., who expired suddenly last. Sunday evening, took place at the Nelson Cemetery this morning. There were largo both at the church and graveside services, -The service at the church was conducted by Mr. P. Bolton. Others Who took part were the Rev. James Hay and the Rev. W. Burloy (Nelson Ministers' Association), Mr. M. 801 l (Motueka), Mr. T. Bamford (Spring Grove), and Mr. A Y. Hibburt (Dominion Youth Organiser for the Associated Churches of Christ). The cortege comprised 50 ears, and the roadway was lined by tho.children of the Hampden Street school, where the late Mr. Sivyer carried out religious instruction under the Nelson system of Bible in schools. Among those present at the funeral wore members of the Nelson Ministers' Association and the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Moffatt) and city councillors. Many beautiful floral tributes were received from all parts of the Dominion. The graveside service was conducted by Mr. Bolton. Tho bearers, all officers of the Nelson Church of Christ,' were Messrs. M. E. Jackson, E. B. Marris, R. Stephens, L. H. Bull, A. B. Inglis, and A. E. Brough.

F. J. Sivyer and Probate

Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Wednesday 19 September 1934, page 26

JUDICIAL AND LAW NOTICES 
After fourteen days from the publication hereof Application will be made to the Supreme Court of the State of Victoria In Its Probate Jurisdiction that PROBATE of the LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT (dated the 36th day of February of FREDERICK JAMES SIVYER formerly of Brunswick near Melbourne In the State (formerly Colony) of Victoria but late of Mount Street Nelson In the Dominion of New Zealand Minister of Religion deceased may be Granted to Richard Ennias (In the said will called Reginald Ennis) of Wandeen Road East Malvern In the said State formerly Organiser but now Estate Agent (the executor named In and appointed by the said Will. Dated the 19th day of September. 1934.

A. R. Kingsford Photo

F. J. Sivyer and Family

Florence Sivyer died June 24, 1955 

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 25 June 1955, page 12

SIVYER. — On June 24, at a private hospital, Florence Beat-rice, of 9a Sidwell avenue, East St. Kilda, wife of the late Frederick James Sivyer (Nelson, N.Z.), loving mother of Gwen.

His daughter Gwendoline engagement notice was placed in the paper only a few months after her mother's passing. 

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Tuesday 6 December 1955, page 16

Engagements

SIVYER—LANE. — The engagement is announced of Gwendoline Florence, only daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Sivyer (Nelson, N.Z., and East St. Kilda), to Harry Stanley, youngest son of Mrs. K. R. Lane, of West Brunswick, and the late Mr. J. F. Lane.

Currently I have no information on whether there were any descendants of Gwendoline and Harry Lane.