PARISHONERS from across the Armidale Anglican Diocese packed St Peter’s Cathedral on Thursday to pay tribute to the late Bishop Peter Chiswell, who died on 6 December.
A legend of the region, Bishop Chiswell was the second longest-serving Bishop in the diocese after leading the congregation from 1976 to 1999.
Current Bishop Rick Lewers said Bishop Chiswell was known as a champion of the cause of Biblical ministry.
He said Bishop Chiswell’s faithfulness to the scriptures was manifest both in his teaching and practice, throughout the diocese and across the Australian church.
“As Bishop it was nothing for him to travel in excess of 40,000 kilometres each year criss-crossing the diocese, often accompanied by his wife Betty.”
Affectionately known as “Chis”, Bishop Chiswell studied civil engineering before entering the ministry.
He graduated from Moore Theological College in Sydney in 1958 and was ordained by the Bishop of Armidale, John Moyes.
Bishop Chiswell’s ministry included appointments in Narrabri, Quirindi, Bingara and Gunnedah before he was consecrated in Sydney by Archbishop Marcus Loane.
He took up his post in Armidale’s St Peter’s Cathedral as Bishop in November, 1976.
He is survived by his wife Betty and children Graeme, Margaret, Rodney and their families.
