HUNDREDS of mourners packed the St Michael’s Anglican Church in Kingston on Monday for the thanksgiving service for the life of Rev Canon Hugh Smythe, who served the Anglican Church for more than 60 years, and who was the first chaplain to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, a position he held for 33 years.

Several police officers as well as retired members of the constabulary said farewell to the man they grew to love and respect as their spiritual adviser and family counsellor. The police band and choir gave musical tributes.

In his tribute, Assistant Commissioner Clarence Taylor, representing Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, said Canon Smythe loved the constabulary so much that even after retirement in 1983 and while still in poor health he continued lecturing and counselling the police.

“He has left a legacy which lives on and that is the appointment of a full-time chaplain, assistant chaplains in every division throughout the island, the formation of Cops for Christ and a peer counsellors’ group,” Taylor said.

In his tribute, Custos of Kingston Canon Weeville Gordon, who met Smythe in college, remembered him as one who was a devoted servant to his parishioners and to others with whom he came in contact. Smythe, Canon Gordon said, was a faithful colleague, full of kindness, and a good listener.

Canon Gordon also remembered Smythe as the first KC student to enter the ministry, and who founded the St Boniface Church in Harbour View and St Patrick’s Church in East Kingston.

Smythe who was 93, spent 38 years as head of St Michael’s Church. He was ordained a deacon in 1942 and 10 years later was promoted as rector of the church. He retired in 1989 after falling ill.

It was Smythe who introduced the idea of a police chaplain to then police commissioner Col Reginald T Mitchelin in 1955. One year later, he was appointed police chaplain and was made a commandant of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) to allow for the payment of a salary as there was no provision in the force for a chaplain. His duties were primarily to lecture recruits at the Police Training School at Port Royal on the last Friday of each month and attend police functions in Kingston to offer prayers.

To top up his meagre salary he was later appointed a supernumerary superintendent of police, operating out of his rectory at St Michael’s church.

Canon Smythe was interred at the St Andrew Parish Church Cemetery, Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, following the service of thanksgiving.