Brady, Edwin (1897-1984)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

EDWIN BRADY, B.D.: born at Bedlington in Northumberland on 5th November 1897, the memory of life in that mining community remained strongly within him. He followed closely the lot of the common man and was always ready with his own well-informed view of society. He became a miner himself. One of a large family, he was strongly influenced by his mother — the only one of the family who went to chapel — and was converted at 18. Offering for ministry within the Primitive Methodist Church, he was trained at Hartley College. He travelled in the following circuits: East Dereham, Bradford VII, Westgate, Walkden, Cheadle, Spennymoor, Douglas (Bucks Road) Guildford, Chester (George Street), and Congleton (Kinsey Street). In 1964 he became a supernumerary and returned to the Chester Circuit to live and to serve very actively until shortly before his death.

Edwin Brady loved the Bible and gave much time to theological study. Indeed he was a remarkable reader and his sermons were punctuated very frequently with quotations from his very extensive reading. Although he only used his B.D. he did have an M.Th. and had prepared a thesis for a doctorate. From his personal and very vivid experience of the love of Christ he grew to appreciate that that love is for all people, and while he had breath he battled to make this truth known. ‘Fear no man’ was a text on his desk and during his retirement in particular he was not afraid to speak out on controversial issues and latterly gave encouragement to those involved in the peace movement. Throughout his ministry Edwin Brady was supported by his wife Florence. He a much-loved minister and very many, from a variety of walks of life, are privileged to have known him and thank God for his life. He died on 5th February 1984 in the eighty-seventh year of his life and the fifty-eighth year of his ministry.

Family

Edwin was born on 4 November 1897 at Bedlington, Northumberland, to parents Joseph Brady, a baker and confectioner (1901) and coal miner (1911), and Elizabeth Davison.

He married Florence Brady (1903-1985) in the summer of 1930 in the Sunderland Registration District, Co. Durham.

Edwin died on 5 February 1984 at Chester, Cheshire.

Circuits

• 1923 E Derham
• 1926 Hartley
• 1928 Bradford VII
• 1930 Westgate
• 1934 Walkden
• 1938 Cheadle
• 1942 Spennymoor
• 1946 Douglas Bucks Rd
• 1951 Guildford
• 1955 Chester George St
• 1961 Congleton Kinsey St
• 1964 Chester (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1984/61

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Death and school entry records identify his birthday as 4 November 1897.