Perry, Walter (1851-1933)
Early years
Walter was born on 12 May 1851 at Bollington, Cheshire.
During his teens, Walter was engaged in Sunday School work and in preaching the Gospel in his native and neighbouring circuits. Walter preached his first sermon in the house of Mrs Smith, who became his mother-in-law.
Ministry
As a preacher and platform speaker, Walter was suggestively original. His quaint, forceful, and up-to-date methods of presenting gospel truths secured for him a foremost place at Synodial meetings and District Gatherings. He was regarded as a specialist in ‘modern sermon building’, for his congregations spoke with unpardonable pride about his memorable texts, original sayings, and the great spiritual uplift they derived from his ministrations of the Word.
Walter held the offices of District Secretary, District Missionary Secretary, District Building Committee Secretary and District Candidates Examiner during his ministry. He also held the unusual honour of being Chairman of a Parish Council.
Family
Walter married Hannah Smith (abt 1850-1925) in the summer of 1876 at Bollington, Cheshire. Hannah was a grand-niece of John Ride. Hannah was a local preacher. Census returns identify five children.
- Ernest Smith (1877-1945) – a journalist
- Hannah (1878-1961) – married William Phillips Holder, a shopkeeper
- Walter (b1879) – a customs and excise officer
- John Smith (b1882) – a vocalist (1911)
- Fletcher Smith (b1887)
Walter died on 25 April 1933 at Kinnerley, Shropshire.
Circuits
- 1871 Oswestry
- 1873 Stratford
- 1874 Dawley
- 1876 Bishops Castle
- 1878 Dudley
- 1880 Cwm
- 1882 Dawley
- 1885 Madeley
- 1888 Bromsgrove
- 1891 Llanynech
- 1900 Oakengates
- 1903 Welshpool
- 1906 Llanymynech
- 1913 Shewsbury
- 1916 Llanymynech (S)
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908/717; 1925/363 (Hannah)
Methodist Minutes 1933/258
W Leary , Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits , 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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