The Reverend Vincent John Stanton
史丹頓牧師
(1817–1891)
Founder of St. Paul’s College
聖保羅書院創辦牧師
Born in Bristol, Vincent Stanton was Hong Kong’s first colonial chaplain (1843–50). During his mission, he founded what would become St. John’s Cathedral and St. Paul’s College.
Stanton’s missionary zeal was apparent in his youth: he interrupted his studies at Cambridge to work as a family tutor in Macau in 1838, returning in 1841. His appointment for his new mission came in 1843, and he immediately set sail with his wife.
Stanton had the unenviable task of establishing the Church of England’s presence on the island. This meant finding funds, materials, and people to build and run both a church and a school, all while tending to the local settlers’ needs. To complicate matters, the administration prioritised schools for Europeans, whereas Stanton was determined to build a school for local Chinese. Land was already set aside for the church before he arrived, but it took until 1845 to find a place for the school on Glenealy. Construction began soon after.
In May 1849, in England, George Smith was consecrated as the first Bishop of Victoria. That same autumn, Stanton’s school (tentatively named the ‘Church of England Anglo-Chinese School’) and St. John’s Church finally opened. The school had thirty-four boys and one headmaster, James Summers. Bishop Smith arrived in Hong Kong in March 1850. Seeing his work at a close and with deteriorating health, Stanton transferred authority and ownership to Smith and left for England in April.
Although poor health never permitted his return, Stanton fondly remembered Hong Kong, proud of his brief yet fruitful stay. He continued his ministry until retiring in 1888.
Within seven years, Stanton laid the foundations for the Anglican Church’s presence in Hong Kong, foundations that still stand 170 years later. Currently, the College’s inter-class football competition is named the Stanton Cup in his memory.