Eglen, Edmund (1905-1985)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

EDMUND EGLEN: born at Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne on 8th October 1905. He owed much to the Christian home in which he was brought up, and to Leighton Memorial Church, Heaton, where he was sixth in a long line of men who were accepted for the ministry. A qualified engineer by profession, he entered the ministry and trained at Hartley College. 

He was sent to Ebbw Vale, where his growing concern for the working man soon became evident. He then moved to Knaresborough where he married Vera, who had been his girlfriend since their early teens, and who was to become his faithful partner. Subsequently, he served at Pickering, moving on to Bury (Brunswick) where during the war he became chaplain to an RAF Officer Training Unit, and then to Newcastle upon Tyne (North West), Ryton, Bishop Auckland, York (Clifton) and Filey. It was towards the end of his time at Bishop Auckland, where he ministered to a church of four hundred members with a youth club of two hundred, that Parkinson’s disease from which he died first showed itself. 

Although a strict disciplinarian, he was greatly loved and respected by both young and old. He was a most effective communicator and storyteller and had an easy rapport with children and young people. Caring was the keystone of his ministry. He exhausted himself in the visitation of his people. In administration he was meticulous, and his disciplined mind enabled him to feed his people. Whatever he did, he offered it to the Lord, so that his reading, preparation, preaching and visiting were all part of his caring ministry. 

In retirement in York, with increasing disability, he continued to encourage both fellow-ministers and members, taking a lively interest in the affairs of the circuit. In spite of his long illness he never lost his sense of humour and his faith was unshakeable. In his ministry he was supported by his wife, who was a great inspiration and strength, and who lovingly cared for him throughout his illness. Many people have reason to thank God for his life and ministry. He died on 17th December 1985 in the eighty-first year of his age and the fifty-fifth of his ministry.

Family

Edmund was born on 8 October 1905 at Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, to parents Thomas, an iron moulder, and Elizabeth.

He married Vera Ternent (1907-2001) in the summer of 1935 at Newcastle upon Tyne. Birth records identify two children.

• Marjorie T (b1941)
• Barbara E (b1944)

Edmund died on 17 December 1985 at York, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1931 Ebbw Vale
• 1933 Knaresborough
• 1937 Pickering
• 1940 Bury Brunswick
• 1945 Newcastle NW
• 1950 Ryton &c
• 1953 Bishop Auckland Cen
• 1960 York Clifton
• 1967 Filey
• 1969 York Wes (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1986/64

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers