[1] After a few years preparing for a law degree he changed his mind and started training for the ministry at Radley College, near Oxford,[2] though he was a sickly youth and little hope was held for his surviving long enough to take orders.
He began his church career as a catechist at Balhannah and Woodside, supervised by Dean Farrell, Bishop Short being absent in England.
On 29 June 1855 (St. Peter's Day), he was ordained deacon in Holy Trinity church, Adelaide, by Bishop Short,[2] and served as curate of Balhannah and Woodside under the Rev.
In 1856 he was ordained a priest and was posted to a missionary position in the South-East, serving Naracoorte, Penola, Guichen Bay, and Mount Gambier districts, which meant a lot of travel by horseback, a severe trial for one without a strong constitution.
[2][3] Andrews married Barbara Smith (8 November 1829 – 12 May 1912) at Comaum station on 30 December 1857 during his first stint in the South-East.