Chesworth, Stanley King (1878-1961)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

STANLEY KING CHESWORTH: born at Longsight, Manchester, in 1878, of Anglican parents. He became a member of the Primitive Methodist Church in his early teens. His response to the call to preach was followed by two years as a Hired Local Preacher in the Leeds Belle Vue Circuit, before he entered Hartley College to be trained for the Ministry. His first appointment was to the Harrow and Northwood Mission in 1904, and he then served at Bedale, Dalton and Millom, Motherwell, Brandon, Buckley, Laxey, Fincham, Brampton, Colne, Higher Ardwick, Bloxwich, Bolton, and Littleborough.

Advised, in 1937, after a serious illness, never to preach again, he continued with indomitable courage and unabated zeal for eleven more years in the full work, followed by five years as an Active Supernumerary at Failsworth. He retired to Bloxwich in 1953, but continued to preach as long as strength remained.

His sense of the wonder of the Ministry deepened with the years, and was contagious. He was a true friend and wise counsellor to his brethren, who treasure his sound judgement, generous encouragement, and quiet, shrewd humour. An able preacher, sound administrator, and a diligent pastor, he went where he was needed most, and never failed to show true and understanding sympathy. Modest and retiring in disposition, he yet remained imperturbable when faced by difficult situations. His passion for social justice led him in the earlier years to identify himself, at the cost of unpopularity, with the lot of the agricultural worker. He was a keen temperance reformer, and saw triumphs of grace amongst alcoholics whom he set out to save in Manchester’s Piccadilly and elsewhere. He died on 22 May 1961, in the eighty-third year of his age and the fifty-seventh of his ministry.

Family

Stanley was born on 21 September 1878 at Longsight, Manchester, Lancashire, to parents Edwin, an engraver, and Eleanor. he was baptised on 20 October 1878 at St Clement, Longsight.

He married Cicely Rowbottom (1881-1965) in the summer of 1908 at Gorton, Manchester. Records identify five children.

Cicely Edith (1911-2005) – married Thomas William Earis, a Methodist minister, in 1939
Nellie Muriel (1914-2001) – married Reginald R Wiggin in 1939
Clifford Wharmby (1917-2008) – a Methodist minister
Sybil (b1922) – married Joseph W Povey in 1949
Stanley King (b1926)

Stanley died on 22 May 1961 at Bloxwich, Staffordshire.