Bishop, Ewart Robinson (1888-1972)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

EWART ROBINSON BISHOP: born in London in 1888, and left school at the age of thirteen to work in his father’s cycle business in Newbury. During the First World War he worked on a farm and it was at this time that he began to preach the Gospel. Responding to a strong sense of call he was accepted for the Primitive Methodist ministry as a married candidate, in 1921, and was appointed to Brighton to serve as the President’s assistant. He served in the following circuits: Brighton, Herts. and Beds., Aylesbury, Bicester (where he served as Chaplain to the R.A.F.), Banbury, Swindon and Wellington.

He was a true knight of the burning heart, an evangelist whose preaching was an attractive commendation of the Lord whom he served. Preaching the Gospel remained his first love throughout his ministry. To know him was to love him for he loved laughter and simple things. Cultured in mind, warmhearted in spirit “he was a living sermon to the truth he taught”. His kindness and sense of humour endeared him to all. His faithfulness as a pastor was revealed in his pulpit prayers which expressed his intimate knowledge of the needs of his people. 

During his years of retirement in Tilehurst, Reading, he was revered by all who knew him. The last six years of his life were spent in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, where he willingly gave valuable assistance as preacher and pastor. Young people in particular appreciated his conduct of worship and his preaching. Three days before his death he had visited neighbours for whom he had a special concern. Always happiest when he was working, he served God to the very end. He died on the 27th January, 1972, in the eighty-fifth year of his age and the fifty-first year of his ministry.

Family

Ewart was born on 10 January 1888 at Faringdon, London, to parents Abraham Chambers Bishop and Sarah Ann.

He married Lizzie Knight North (1880-1962) in early 1912 at Newbury, Berkshire. Records identify one child.

• Joan Catherine (1915-2002) – married Peter H Pope in 1938; married Alan Hazeldine in 1945

Ewart died on 27 January 1972 at Midsomer Norton, Somerset..

Circuits

• 1921 Brighton
• 1925 Herts & Beds Mission
• 1929 Aylesbury
• 1936 Buckingham &c
• 1941 Banbury
• 1945 Swindon Reg St
• 1949 Wellington
• 1953 Reading (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1972/174

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers