Bernard Walke

Bernard Walke
Born	Nicolo Bernard Walke 15 June 1874 Vicarage, Redlynch, Wiltshire
Died	25 June 1941 Mevagissey
Nationality	English
Other names	Ber Walke
Occupation	Anglican priest
Known for	BBC Plays, St Hilary controversy

Bernard Walke, born Nicolo Bernard Walke, was an English Anglican priest. Most of his ministry was in three Cornish parishes; he was parish priest of St Hilary from 1913 to 1936.

Bernard Walke was the eldest of three sons of a Tractarian clergyman who was vicar of Redlynch in Wiltshire.

Walke married artist Anne Fearon in 1911. The couple was described by Newlyn School artist Laura Knight:

They were both long and thin, and Ber always wore dandy silk socks – he was not in the least like a parson to look at. A man with ideals that he lived up to – he was big-hearted enough to understand anyone and had it in him to enjoy vulgar fun as much as any. After we became intimate we often went to stay with the Walkes at St Hilary, as simple as any monastery in its furnishings.

Walke was described as "a monastic looking man" and his dress was unusual; it included a long black cloak and a hat somewhat resembling a sombrero. For transport he used a donkey shay. In 1932 he had two horses (one given him by A. J. Munnings) and a pony. The pair had no children. After Walke had resigned his living in 1936 the couple settled in Mevagissey at The Battery. Bernard died on 25 June 1941 and was buried in the St Erth Churchyard, near Lelant and St Hilary. Anne Walke died in 1965 and was also buried at St Erth.

Walke became a curate at St Ives, Cornwall; after some years he moved to Polruan also as a curate. He remained at Polruan for eight years and both there and at St Ives became familiar with the life of fishermen.

Bernard Walke was appointed St Hilary Church's vicar in 1912 but was not instituted to the living until 1913; he resigned in 1936.

Father Walke was a High Churchman and the changes in services which he introduced were strange to the members of the congregation. Many came in the early days to marvel at the curious goings on in a communion service unlike the morning prayer to which they were accustomed. However this did not persist and many became hostile and stayed away while others remained faithful worshippers. The open air services he held late on Sundays on the Downs were however popular.W. H. Frere, Bishop of Truro, 1923–35, approved of many aspects of Walke's ministry but their views differed on reservation of the blessed sacrament: the bishop held that it was within his authority while Walke maintained it was inherent in that of a parish priest.

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