Taking Your Morgan to Church

The apocryphal low-mileage car that was "driven only to church on Sundays" is unlikely to be a sports car. It might, however, be a Morgan, for Morgans have a long history with the church. The marque's founder, H.F.S. Morgan, was the son and grandson of clergymen, and he religiously returned to his birthplace each week for church and Sunday dinner. On the way home he tested each car on a steep hill leading out of the village.

Last week, Morgan, the sole remaining British-owned automaker, observed its centenary, so it was fitting that the village of Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, where H.F.S. was raised, celebrated with the company and enthusiasts from all over the world with a service at the village church.

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul has special significance for Jill and me, as we were married there 35 years ago this June. It is special to Morgans, for the Reverend Henry Morgan was rector there for 16 years and his son Henry George for another 50. H.F.S., his parents, siblings and son are all buried in the churchyard, and over the years the Morgans have been consistent benefactors - one only has to look at the windows to realize it. Some years ago, a memorial window was dedicated to Morgan enthusiasts from California, and in 2005 another window was dedicated to Peter Morgan, H.F.S.'s son and successor, the Plus 8 and the Morgan factory in nearby Malvern Link.

This year's service, held on 30th July, drew many Morgans, in town for the celebrations, owners from all over the world, and villagers who value their Morgan connections. Charles Morgan (at right), Peter's son and the current managing director, delivered one of the readings, and the Reverend Michael Smith, retired rector of Stoke Lacy and himself the spouse of a Morgan owner, gave an inspired address about the contributions of the Morgan Motor Company and the Morgan car to the development of transportation. The congregation sang four hymns in spirited fashion, and parishioners delighted in meeting enthusiasts who regard Stoke Lacy as doubly hallowed ground.

The church and lychgate were specially decorated, and Morgans clogged the lane. Attending were such notables as Harry Out, head of the Dutch Morgan club and his wife Helga, driving their Morgan 4/4, and Andrew Duncan, solicitor for the Morgan Motor Company and current custodian of Peter Morgan's last car, the Plus 8 registered AB16.

Across the road, in the driveway of The Old Rectory where H.F.S. grew up, were Charles Morgan's own Aeromax coupe and a Morgan Plus Four that had made the pilgrimage from Massachusetts. The people of Stoke Lacy are proud of their Morgan heritage. It was good to see so many Morgan enthusiasts enjoy it with them.