Introducing our new collection of customized greeting cards featuring the stunning St. Paul's Cathedral.
There are six unique designs, created by the talented artist and Archdeacon Emeritus, Ray McInnes. Each card beautifully captures the essence of the Cathedral and its vibrant congregation.
Dimensions: 21 x 15cm
Archdeacon Emeritus Ray McInnes (Bio):
Ray is a life long Anglican, one of several people who were called to the Priesthood from the Parish of St. James, Thornbury, (now part of Darebin Parish). He completed Leaving Certificate Preston East Technical School and Higher School Certificate P/T. whilst employed as a Survey Draughtsman at the Country Roads Board, Kew.
He studied Theology at St. John’s College, Morpeth, N.S.W. 1974-76 and completed Th.L.
He was ordained Deacon in 1977 by Archbishop Frank Woods and then loaned to the Diocese of Wangaratta 1977-9. Ray was ordained to the priesthood and served in the Parish of Benalla.
From 1979 – 83 Ray was Priest in Charge of St. Andrew’s, Clifton Hill and St. Luke’s, North Fitzroy. He was one of four artists who produced a very popular Diocesan Calendar of twelve pen and ink sketches, the print run sold out quickly and was supposed to have been the first of many, sadly the group of artists moved on and the concept withered.
Ray was one of those who moved on, he returned to Benalla in 1983 to be Rector of the Parish which also included St. Paul’s Goorambat, St. Aidan’s, Swanpool and St. Alban’s, Tatong. During this period Ray was one of two artists involved in the production of a book about the churches of north east Victoria called “Parish Churches”, more pen and ink drawings.
From 1995 – 2003 Ray was Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Wangaratta, he always found time to paint, draw or sketch on his day off, especially in his favourite medium of watercolour, but also ventured into painting with acrylics.
In 2003 Ray and his wife, Glenys moved to Melbourne to be nearer to their children. They ran a picture framing business for a short time before Ray returned to Parish ministry as Vicar of St Silas and St Anselm Parish, Albert Park (the Anglican Parish of the Parks). During this time Ray & Glenys led several pilgrimages to overseas places and Ray ramped his love of painting his favourite genres-streetscapes and cityscapes. He also painted a series of watercolours to illustrate a children’s book, Under the River Red by Margaret White.
Ray retired from full time ministry in 2017 with a strong desire to spend more time developing his art. He has painted several portraits and a wide range of subjects using some of the photographs taken on those overseas trips. He was featured artist at the Mornington Art Show and an exhibition of his works were displayed in St. Paul’s, Cathedral. Last year he spent a week working in the Cathedral as Artist in Residence at the invitation of the Dean.
Ray has recently painted six scenes of our Cathedral, that have been reproduced in card form and are now on sale at the Cathedral Shop. He will again spend two days in the Cathedral soon ( April 3 & 10) as Artist in Residence and bring with some of his recent paintings.
