Armitage, George (1856-1948)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1928
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1928

Early years

George was born in 1856 at Southport, Lancashire to parents Joseph and Rebecca. At the time of the 1861 census, Joseph was an eating and boarding house keeper. Joseph missioned Southport and was the first PM member of the Southport church.

In early youth George became associated with the Tuebrook Church in Liverpool Second circuit. He was recommended for ministry from that circuit.

Ministry

George was one of the key connexional administrators of his time. He served the Manchester District as Secretary of the Jubilee Fund, as Missionary Secretary and as Secretary of Synod. He was an organising secretary for the Centenary Celebrations on Mow Cop. For eleven years he held the position of Secretary to the Hartley College. In 1911, George was one of the Connexional Representatives at the Toronto Ecumenical Conference.

George became Secretary of the General Committee in 1919 and served in the difficult post WW1 years. The early negotiations leading to Methodist Union passed through his hands.

George was President of Conference in 1927.

His preaching had always the Methodist ring in it, Christ-centred, and evangelical. His love of preaching and winning souls never ceased.

Family

George married Annie Kelsall (1860-1932) on 7 July 1885 at the Methodist New Connection Chapel, Stamford Street, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire. Census returns identify one son.

  • Herbert Kelsall (1886-1953) – an architect (1911); served with RAMC in WW1; Army Major (1948)

George died on 8 April 1948 at Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.

Circuits

  • Sunderland
  • 1881 Stalybridge
  • 1885 Rochdale
  • 1888 Manchester I
  • 1889 Manchester VII
  • 1892 Manchester VI
  • 1895 Bolton
  • 1899 Helmshore
  • 1901 Stockport II
  • 1906 Oldham II
  • 1910 Liverpool II
  • 1914 Bacup
  • 1916 Forest Hill
  • 1919 General Secretary
  • 1924 Dartford
  • 1928 Lytham (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/758; 1919/607; 1924/518; 1928/1; 1931/595

Methodist Minutes 1948/138

B A Barber, A Methodist Pageant, 1932, p244

R Newman Wycherley, The Pageantry of Methodist Union, 1932, p214

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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