Shreeve, Charles (1852-1926)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910

Early years

Charles was born in 1852 at Repps, Norfolk to parents Henry and Elizabeth. Henry was a labourer.

Charles left home at the age of ten to life at Great Yarmouth. He attended Priory Plain Sunday School and the Old Chapel. He decided for Christ under the ministry of Rev Henry Worth, became a teacher and, at the age of seventeen, he began to preach.

Charles worked as a leather cutter before entering the ministry.

Ministry

Charles whole ministry was carried out in the Lynn and Cambridge District. He served as District Building Committee Secretary for nineteen years. He was also Missionary Secretary for seven years and Orphanage Secretary for eight years. He twice presided over District Synods and attended Conference on six occasions as a delegate of his District. He was Secretary and President of the Eastern Counties Ministerial Association.

His sermons showed careful and thoughtful preparation. They were evangelical, practical, expository, calculated to inform the mind, to arouse the heart, to strengthen the will, to inspire the soul. His language was simple and beautiful, and his style was homely and intelligible and natural.

Charles refused to pay the sectarian rate (for education) and his goods were sold.

Family

Charles married Maria Elizabeth Offord (1855-1898) in the summer of 1883 at Swaffham, Norfolk. Census returns identify three children.

  • Olivia Eleanor (1885-1961) – a teacher
  • Bernard Charles (1887-1960) – a carriage builder (1911)
  • Kathleen (1890-1891)

Charles married Ellen Gertrude Stubbings (1872-1957) in late 1904 at Forehoe, Norfolk.

Charles died on 27 June 1926 at Watton, Norfolk.

Circuits

  • Sunderland
  • 1874 Wisbech
  • 1877 Downham
  • 1878 Watton
  • 1880 Cambridge
  • 1882 Swaffham
  • 1885 Bury St Edmunds
  • 1888 Fakenham
  • 1889 Lynn
  • 1893 Swaffham
  • 1895 Ely
  • 1901 Soham
  • 1905 Watton
  • 1909 Ely
  • 1916 Methwold
  • 1919 Stowmarket
  • 1924 Watton (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910/717

PM Minutes 1927/270

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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