Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 145:
Fr Henry John Wientjes

Father Wientjes spent eight months in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. He was caring for the parish of Kangaroo Point when the parish priest Fr James Breen was in poor health.

Henry John Wientjes was born in Holland on 14 July 1877. From there he went to London to be educated for the priesthood and was ordained on 17 October 1901. He then sailed aboard RMS Orizaba from London to arrive in Sydney on 7 December 1901. He was on his way to a mission in New Zealand.

He was registered as clergyman in Wellington from 1902 to 1914. Fr Wientjes was stationed in Rotorua when the following notice appeared in the press.(1)

It is probable that Fr Wientjes, who has a great influence with the Maoris and a good knowledge of the tongue, will be appointed to carry on the mission at Urewera County.(2)

After six years in Rotorua he was appointed pastor of Whangarei. This parish had numerous Maori settlements. Most Rev Dr Cleary the bishop of Auckland visited the parish during Fr Wientjes' time. It is recorded that when the bishop spoke to the native people Fr Wientjes interpreted the Bishop's message in the native Maori tongue.(3)

Fr Wientjes arrived in Brisbane in October 1914 to visit Australia before returning to his native Holland. It was wartime and his parents, aged 81 and 79, were still alive in Holland.(4)

His name appears a number of times in the Queensland press during his eight months stay. A lengthy obituary for Mrs C S Massie, late proprietress of the Railway hotel in Beaudesert, states that Fr Wientjes officiated at her funeral and burial at South Brisbane.(5) His name appears among the list of the council of the Queensland Catholic Club at its annual meeting in Brisbane in May 1915.(6) The Adelaide Catholic press reported his departure from Brisbane.

Father Wientjes, who is now attached to Kangaroo Point during Father Breen's regrettable illness, intends to leave about the beginning of June. It is eight months since he came to Queensland Australia from Auckland, New Zealand where he was doing duty for thirteen years. He first returns to New Zealand, and then to his native land, Holland.(7)

After a year, with his parents in war-time Holland he moved to the American diocese of Salt Lake. He spent time in the parishes of Bingham, Utah, and Sparks before moving to Ely in 1933 and finally to St Theresa's parish Carson City in 1935. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee of priesthood there in 1951.(8) The same paper reports his retirement from that parish after 24 years in April 1959.

Monsignor Wientjes, who has been the pastor at St Theresa's since 1935, has returned to Holland for a trip. He plans to return to Nevada, where he will reside.(9)

I have been unable to discover the place and date of his death.

Footnotes
1. West Australian Record, 15 May 1915, p. 7.
2. Southern Cross, Adelaide, 30 Aug 1907, p. 3.
3. Advocate, Melbourne 13 Apr 1912, p. 12.
4. West Australian Record, 15 May 1915, p, 7.
5. Beaudesert Times, Mar 5 1915, p. 2.
6. Catholic Press, Sydney, 6 May 1915, p. 12.
7. Southern Cross, Australian Catholic Notes, Adelaide, 7 May 1915, p. 14.
8. Reno Evening Gazette, 16 Oct 1951.
9. Reno Evening Gazette, 21 Apr 1959.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.