Henry Robert Brett
Born in 1868 and ordained in 1893, he was Dean of the cathedral from 1926 to 1932 in which year he died.The eldest son of Mr John Brett, Dromore West, Co Sligo, he was educated at Kilkenny College and Trinity College, Dublin. He had a brilliant career at Trinity, where he took his BA degree with first class honours in 1892. In the following year he was awarded the Divinity Testimonium, first class, and in 1896 he took his MA degree. He was ordained for the curacy of Coleraine in 1893 and a year later was appointed curate of Saint Anne’s, Belfast, under Canon O’Hara. At that time the parish of Saint Peter’s was a parochial district and it wasn’t until the early 20th century that it was constituted a separate parish. Rev Brett was given charge of the district and later became the first incumbent of the parish. In his time at Saint Peter’s he was closely identified with the Cathedral building scheme. In 1917 he was appointed Diocesan Registrar and became Secretary of the Church of Ireland Trustees. Two years later he was appointed Diocesan Canon of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, but on becoming Archdeacon of Connor in the following year he resigned the canonry. However, he was held in such esteem by the Cathedral Chapter that he was co-opted as a Canon of Saint Patrick’s. His educational interests during his time at Saint Peter’s saw him as manager of Skegoniel P E School, a member of the Belfast Education Committee and, for several years, a governor of Campbell College.
He was appointed Dean of Saint Anne’s after the Board of Nomination elected him incumbent of Saint Anne’s and Vicar of Belfast. The Lord Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore, Right Reverend Dr Grierson, presided. Also present were the Dean of Connor, Rev Canon McNiece, His Honour Judge Thompson, W A Ferrar, JP, Samuel Cumming and James Trelford.
An In Memoriam is carved on the north pillar of the archway between the Nave and the Chancel and tells, in Latin, of his six years’ service as Dean. His name also appears on the Thanksgiving for Victory (World War 1) stone on the West front wall. He appears on a photograph in the Ambulatory of the Dedication of the West Front in 1927.
