Denman, George (1887-1957)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

GEORGE DENMAN: born at Hemswell in Lincolnshire in 1887. He grew up in the best traditions of rural Methodism, with few educational advantages, in an atmosphere of fervent piety. After a fruitful period as an evangelist, he entered Hartley College in 1914. His college life was broken into by World War I, and he served for three years in the R.A.M.C. in France. After the war another year in Hartley College was followed by service in the following circuits: Watford, Willenhall, Hull, Newcastle (Staffs), Bradford, and Scunthorpe and Winterton. 

In every sphere of service he endeared himself to the people by his diligence as pastor, his understanding sympathy, and his unlimited self-giving for the good of young and old alike. Of a cheerful disposition, he had a natural gift of friendliness which cheered many lonely hearts and gained for him many lifelong friends. His work as an administrator was outstanding, especially in the period following Methodist Union, when he took a leading part in a number of extensive circuit amalgamations. He was shrewd and patient; always courteous and wise in counsel. Possessed of a natural gift of easy, fluent speech, combined with a kindly sense of humour, he was a winsome preacher. Always a diligent student, the gathered treasures of mind, heart, and experience went into every message. He always entered the pulpit with a deep consciousness that he was a King’s Messenger. Throughout his ministry he was both evangelist and teacher. 

He died on 8th May 1957, in the seventieth year of his age and the forty-first of his ministry.

Family

George was born on 19 October 1887 at Hemswell, Lincolnshire, to parents William Henry, who worked the land, and Alice.

George was working as an evangelist at Holbeach at the time of the 1911 census.

He married Edna Sacker (1886-1956) in the summer of 1920 at Bury, lancashire. Birth records identify two children.

• Edna J (b1922) – married William du Best in 1946
• Jean Marjorie (1924-1997) – married William Patrick O’Brien in 1953

George died on 8 May 1957 at Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1916 Supply
• 1920 Watford
• 1923 Willenhall
• 1930 Hull II
• 1934 Newcastle under Lyme
• 1947 Bradford Dudley Hill
• 1950 Bradford East
• 1952 Scunthorpe &c

References

Methodist Minutes 1957/212

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers