William Miitchell (missionary)

William Mitchell (1803-1970) was a C.of E. priest and a missionary. He spent 10 years in India, 20 years in the Swan River Colony, Australia, then the next 12 years in Perth Gaol.

William was born in County of Monaghan in Ireland. He apprenticed to an apothecary for 1 year and studied at Trinity College, Dublin before deciding to become a missionary.

He trained with the Church Missionary Society (CMS) at Olney in England. He was ordained as a priest in 1825. In 1826 he married Mary Anne Holmes and they left for India. They returned to the UK in 1831 due to Anne’s failing health -she died in March.

He married Frances Tree Tatlock in 1832 and they returned to Bombay in India. He returned to the UK in 1835 due to his failing health. He recuperated on the Isle of Wight. After a disagreement with the CMS he sort alternative work.

The Western Australian Missionary Society ( which became the Colonial and Continental Society) were recruiting missionaries for colonies in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Louis Giustiniani was appointed before William. In Australia he started a church at Woodbridge in Guildford and .established the Middle Swan native mission which would later be the site for St. Mary’s church. His tenure proved unpopular and he left the colony in 1838.

William was appointed as his replacement. The Mitchell family Left Portsmouth with Anne Breeze - a governess- on 1st April 1838 and arrived at Fremantle, Australia on 4 th August. (Read daughter’s description of arrival)
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A school was immediately established with Anne Breeze assisting.

There was no church in the Swan River colony and services were conducted in the Courthouse by Revd. John Wittemoom, the first colonial chaplain.
On August 5th 1839 foundation stone for St. Mary’s church laid - opened on 29th November 1840. Within 3 years 3 permanent church buildings built. 1842 William was reclassified by the governor from missionary to chaplain and first rector of Swan parish

In 1858, after 20 years at Swan River, he was transfered to Perth Gaol where he worked with convicts and prisoners. His position was chaplain of the Gaol as well as chaplaincy duties at various hospitals in Perth.He was there for 12 years.

William in 1870, aged 66, became ill and died on 3rd August.
He is buried with his youngest son Andrew (died 31st May 1870) and his wife Francis (died 11st July 1879) in St.Mary’s graveyard.