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Canon Graham Corneck The Rev Graham Corneck
(1 day later)
My father, Graham Corneck, who has died aged 79, touched many lives through his ministry in the Church of England, particularly in Deptford, south-east London, where he was vicar of St Nicholas and St Luke from 1973 until his retirement in 2005. A man of great energy and compassion, he took on this struggling inner-city parish and, with his wife, Sue, over three decades built up two thriving and vibrant churches.My father, Graham Corneck, who has died aged 79, touched many lives through his ministry in the Church of England, particularly in Deptford, south-east London, where he was vicar of St Nicholas and St Luke from 1973 until his retirement in 2005. A man of great energy and compassion, he took on this struggling inner-city parish and, with his wife, Sue, over three decades built up two thriving and vibrant churches.
He was born Warrington Graham Corneck in Shanghai, the son of Christine (nee Foster) and Philip, who was working there as the secretary of a rowing club. The family returned to England in 1939, when Graham was four, and he grew up with his younger sister, Anne, in East Sheen, south-west London.He was born Warrington Graham Corneck in Shanghai, the son of Christine (nee Foster) and Philip, who was working there as the secretary of a rowing club. The family returned to England in 1939, when Graham was four, and he grew up with his younger sister, Anne, in East Sheen, south-west London.
He went to Latymer Upper school in Hammersmith, where he developed a passion for running, and would often run the seven and half miles of Richmond Park wall. Later, living in Deptford, he completed the second London Marathon. The 46-year-old “running vicar” was one of several competitors whose training, under Chris Brasher, was followed by the Observer.He went to Latymer Upper school in Hammersmith, where he developed a passion for running, and would often run the seven and half miles of Richmond Park wall. Later, living in Deptford, he completed the second London Marathon. The 46-year-old “running vicar” was one of several competitors whose training, under Chris Brasher, was followed by the Observer.
An avid Christian, in adulthood Graham joined the evangelical hub of All Souls Church, Langham Place, in central London. There he met Susan Baughan, and they married in 1963. Graham had qualified as a chartered accountant but said he was “hopeless” at the job and, in 1962, followed his calling and went to Clifton Theological College (now Trinity College) in Bristol. Ordained in 1965, he was curate at St Jude’s, Islington, north London, before moving to Crawley in Sussex as priest in charge of St Andrew’s, Furnace Green.An avid Christian, in adulthood Graham joined the evangelical hub of All Souls Church, Langham Place, in central London. There he met Susan Baughan, and they married in 1963. Graham had qualified as a chartered accountant but said he was “hopeless” at the job and, in 1962, followed his calling and went to Clifton Theological College (now Trinity College) in Bristol. Ordained in 1965, he was curate at St Jude’s, Islington, north London, before moving to Crawley in Sussex as priest in charge of St Andrew’s, Furnace Green.
In 1973, our family moved to Deptford. The parish was one of poverty and deprivation, and 19 priests had already turned down the post. St Luke’s had a congregation of six and St Nicholas’s one of eight; one of Graham’s first services at St Nick’s was to people who could not read.In 1973, our family moved to Deptford. The parish was one of poverty and deprivation, and 19 priests had already turned down the post. St Luke’s had a congregation of six and St Nicholas’s one of eight; one of Graham’s first services at St Nick’s was to people who could not read.
At first daunted by the scale of the task, they set to work to create an inclusive community, making services accessible through music and dramas drawn from the weekly Bible texts, and opening their home to visitors, some of whom stayed for years living as part of our family. Graham was a charismatic preacher, passionate about communicating his Christian faith. He once gave a sermon from under the altar table to illustrate how anger obstructs our relationships. A film lover, in 1988 he broadcast a series of four meditations on BBC Radio 4, reflecting on how stories from cinema can illuminate faith.At first daunted by the scale of the task, they set to work to create an inclusive community, making services accessible through music and dramas drawn from the weekly Bible texts, and opening their home to visitors, some of whom stayed for years living as part of our family. Graham was a charismatic preacher, passionate about communicating his Christian faith. He once gave a sermon from under the altar table to illustrate how anger obstructs our relationships. A film lover, in 1988 he broadcast a series of four meditations on BBC Radio 4, reflecting on how stories from cinema can illuminate faith.
In 1995, Graham graduated with a master’s in theology from Edinburgh University. He was an honorary canon of Southwark cathedral (1991-2005), and was appointed MBE in 2004 for services to the community. In retirement, he found his failing health frustrating, but continued to preach and to conduct funerals, and he took deep pleasure from his home life with Sue, and enjoyed supporting me and my sisters, Hannah and Rebecca, and his seven grandchildren, all of whom survive him.In 1995, Graham graduated with a master’s in theology from Edinburgh University. He was an honorary canon of Southwark cathedral (1991-2005), and was appointed MBE in 2004 for services to the community. In retirement, he found his failing health frustrating, but continued to preach and to conduct funerals, and he took deep pleasure from his home life with Sue, and enjoyed supporting me and my sisters, Hannah and Rebecca, and his seven grandchildren, all of whom survive him.