Edward Sidney Kiek

Edward Sidney Kiek (5 August 1883 – 24 April 1959) was a Congregationalist minister, and principal of Parkin College, that church's seminary in Adelaide, South Australia. He was married to Winifred Kiek (c. 1884 – 23 May 1975) who was in 1927 the first woman to be ordained minister of a Christian church in Australia.

History Edward Sidney Kiek, known commonly as "Kiek", was born in London, a son of Sidney Kiek, a publisher and seller of religious literature, and his wife Susannah Kiek, née Berry. He was educated at the Central Foundation School, City Road, London and King's College London. He joined the Civil Service and served as clerk in the Admiralty for four years. He undertook theological studies under Dr. Fairbairn at Mansfield College, Oxford, and was conferred BD in 1911 following the death of Dr. L. D. Bevan (1842–1918). He was noted for introducing Oxford-style intellectual rigour into the curriculum, a more liberal theology, and moving away from literal interpretation of Scripture.

He regularly wrote thoughtful essays for the newspapers: he was critical of John Curtin's advocacy of isolationism in response to the rise of belligerent dictatorships. He demonstrated in 1938 a clear understanding of the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany in a dispassionate address and was quick to denounce Nazi anti-Semitism. He was an opponent of racial discrimination, drinking and gambling. He was a member and passionate supporter of the Common Cause movement. In 1948 he was elected president of the Council of Churches in South Australia.

He was conferred Doctor of Divinity by the Melbourne College of Divinity in 1950. He retired in 1957.

Kiek Place, in the Canberra suburb of Chisholm, is named for Kiek and his wife.

Other positions He conducted lectures for the Workers' Educational Association and the University of Adelaide. He was a founder of the Round Table Christian Sociological Society He was an active Freemason and held several responsible positions in the craft.