Ayre, George (1870-1944)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1922
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1924
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1932
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1922
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916

Early years

George was born in 1870 at Burnham, nr Epworth, Lincolnshire, to parents William and Annie Eliza. William was a flax dresser (1871). George’s father died whilst he was young and Annie married Rev Henry Woodcock, a PM Minister, in 1880 at Hull, Yorkshire.

George spent three years at Elmfield College which prepared him for work in business, which he undertook before entering the ministry.

Ministry

The strength of his personality was such that he was elected to the Board of Guardians and Newcastle-upon-Tyne School Board whilst on probation.

Whilst at Leeds Central Mission he witnessed much triumph against the odds, and in addition became President of the Leeds PM Council and the Leeds Free Church Council and in his stride organised one of the finest National Whitsuntide C.E. Conventions that institution ever knew.

At Aliwal North, George not only superintended the largest station in Primitive Methodism, but provided the driving power for most other things in the area. He had a year back in England from 22 July 1916 to 19 May 1917. During his first six years at Aliwal North there was a net gain of one thousand members and the number of preaching places increased from thirty-nine to one hundred and twenty nine. Six new chapels were built at no cost to the Missionary Committee and there were two hundred local preachers.

In 1928 George became Financial Secretary of the Missionary Committee. He continued in that role post union until retirement in 1939. He visited Nigeria in 1935.

Following his retirement, George found joy in caring for a Methodist Society at Welwyn Garden City, where he lived, and was happily busy about the planning for a new church. He preached with his accustomed fervour and acceptance right to the end.

Literature

George wrote the following.

Primitive Methodist African missions, notes by Rev. Geo. Ayre (African Secretary), 1929

Family

George married Jane Spoor Cook (1874-1940) in the summer of 1896 at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. Records identify four children.

  • Muriel (1898-1903)
  • Gladys (1906-1987)
  • Rupert Kemp (1910-1973) – a chartered accountant (1944)
  • Kenneth Cook (1911-1965)

George died on 29 February 1944 at Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1892 Newcastle III
  • 1896 Jarrow
  • 1899 N Sunderland
  • 1903 Leeds III
  • 1910 Aliwal N
  • 1923 Gateshead II
  • 1928 London FM Sec
  • 1939 Supernumary

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/804; 1922/742; 1924/393; 1932/36

Methodist Minutes 1944/135

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • Excellent detail. Very well done.

    By John Ayre (13/03/2019)
  • Many years ago I asked my grandmother if she had met any famous Primitive Methodists. ” Yes,” she said, ” I met the Rev George Ayre “

    By George Scott (01/04/2017)
  • A very thorough record

    By David Ayre (30/03/2017)
  • Excellent work -very accurate. Well done.

    By Ayre Michael (08/05/2015)

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