Evans, Baynard Percival (1903-1977)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

BAYNARD PERCIVAL EVANS: born at Lanner, Cornwall, on 1st January 1903. After leaving school he worked for a time for his father, who was a haulage contractor involved in the mining industry. He responded to God’s call to the ministry and received his theological training at Hartley College. He served in the following circuits: Kilburn and Hampstead, Crewkerne, Sedbergh, Hexham, St. Just, Liskeard, Barnstaple (Thorne Memorial), Truro (St. George’s), and Helston. He returned to Truro on his retirement in 1968 to live with his daughter at Feock. 

A true son of Cornwall, he never lost his love for the place or people from whom he sprang and his knowledge of Cornish Methodism was outstanding. He became an authority on the trust deeds of the branches of Methodism that united in 1907 and 1932. He was a pastor who understood his people and their needs, was constantly in their homes and cared for them in every possible way. He was an excellent Superintendent, wise in leadership and meticulous in administration. He will be remembered above all for his personal qualities. He was always friendly, courteous, thoughtful, unruffled, never needlessly asserting his own authority but always respecting the authority of others. Most of all, he concentrated on the one thing needful: the true love of God and man, which became the dominating motive of his life. His preaching was stimulating, challenging his hearers to a deeper faith and larger vision, and he continued to preach right up to the end of his life. 

He died whilst attending a meeting of the Fellowship of the Kingdom in Truro on 20th September 1977 in the seventy-fifth year of his life and the fiftieth year of his ministry.

Family

Baynard was born on 1 January 1903 at Lanner, Cornwall.

He married Hilda Woodley (b1901) in the spring of 1932 at Abingdon, Berkshire. Records identify one child.

• Kathleen (b1933)

Baynard died on 20 September 1977 at Feock, Truro, Cornwall.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1928 Kilburn
• 1933 Crewkerne
• 1935 Sedbergh
• 1937 Hexham
• 1940 St Just
• 1946 Liskeard
• 1951 Barnstaple
• 1955 Truro
• 1963 Helston
• 1968 Truro (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1978/77

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers