Chadwick, John Pearson (1887-1961)

Transcription of Obituary in Minutes of Methodist Conference

Born in the Lancashire town of Atherton in 1887. He was a Primitive Methodist of the third generation, was converted at an early age, and as a young man rededicated himself to the Lord’s service.

Inspired by his grandfather’s example he became a local preacher, and after working for  some years in a local mill, he was called to the Ministry.

He was accepted by the Conference of 1914, and after being trained at Hartley College he served in Braintree, Louth, Tetney, Sowerby Bridge. Bingley, Newton and Hyde, Desbury and Willenhall.

A man of wide interests and active mind, he maintained an interest in books and outdoor games to the end of his life.

In his younger days he was an active sportsman, and during his ministry at Louth he regularly played for the town football club.

He was a friendly man, blessed with a compassion and insight that bound him to his people, and they to him. Nothing delighted him more than preaching, and his conversational style was greatly helped by a pleasing voice and good pulpit manner.

He was a humble man, glad to be a preacher of the gospel and a pastor to his people, and he gave himself to the work he loved without  reserve.

Young and old alike had cause to bless God for his ministry, and their  continued love and gratitude greatly cheered the later years of his life.

During those last years he was much troubled by pain and physical infirmity. His health broke down during his Dewsbury ministry, but after a year’s rest he was able to continue until 1954 when further illness caused him to retire to his native town of Atherton.

He bore prostrating illness with fortitude, dignity, and patience, never faltering in his faith and looking forward with hope. His mind remained alert to the end and he was able to continue his life-long interest in biblical and theological subjects.

He joined the Church Triumphant on Christmas Day 1961, in the seventy-fifth year of his age and the forty-fifth of his ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1962

Family

John was born on 30 July 1887 at Atherton, Leigh, Lancashire, to parents John Ambrose Chadwick, a cotton spinner, and Hannah.

Census returns identify the following occupations for John before he entered the ministry.

• 1901 creeler in cotton mill
• 1911 cotton operative piecer

John married Bertha Alice Leyland (1887-1979) in the spring of 1920 at Leigh, Lancashire. Birth records identify one child.

• Rowena (b1923)

John died on 25 December 1961 at Leigh, Lancashire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1916 Supply
• 1917 Braintree
• 1920 Louth
• 1925 Tetney
• 1928 Sowerby Bridge
• 1932 Bingley
• 1938 Newton & Hyde
• 1945 Dewsbury Zion
• 1951 Supernum
• 1951 Willenhall
• 1954 Bolton (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes1962/199

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers