Jack Stretch

John Francis Stretch (28 January 1855 – 19 April 1919) was an Australian Anglican bishop.

Early life

Stretch was born in Geelong, Victoria, the son of Reverend John Cliffe Theodore Stretch and his wife Frances (née Heath). He was educated at Geelong Church of England Grammar School. On 2 July 1872, he was the first student to enrol in Trinity College, Melbourne, which was the first residential college of the University of Melbourne. He graduated BA in 1874 and LLB in 1887.

On Saturday 20 June 1896, he officially opened St Alban's Anglican church in Cunnamulla. Stretch was injured on his way to Cunnamulla, as he shot at a turkey from his buggy, frightening the horses, resulting in a crash with a tree stump. Although he sustained "serious contusions" to his forehead and hand, he was still able to perform the ceremony.

In 1906 he was made the Bishop of Newcastle in New South Wales.

Later life In failing health, Stretch announced his retirement on 24 January 1919 to officially take effect on 30 June 1919, but unofficially retired almost immediately. He died following a stroke on 19 April 1919 in Lindfield, Sydney, survived by his two daughters and four sons. His body was taken to Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle, where his funeral service was conducted on Monday 21 April 1919 by John Wright (Archbishop of Sydney). After the funeral, there was a procession through the streets to the railway station. Stretch was buried in the Anglican section of Sandgate Cemetery, Newcastle with the burial service conducted by Archbishop Wright.

Two of his sons, John Carlos William and Cliffe Maurice Osmond, were also Anglican clergy.