Finlay, Christopher (1883-1953)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

CHRISTOPHER FINLAY: a native of Pershore Colliery, born in 1883. After training at Hartley College he became a Primitive Methodist minister in 1906. His active ministry began at Oakham and followed at Thetford and Crewe II. In 1912 he left Crewe for the mission field, and served with much acceptance for nine years in the Island of Fernando Po. Returning to this country in 1921, he served one year at Congleton and was then sent to Nigeria. There he pioneered work in the Idona District, also serving at Uzuakoli and Agliam. He returned in 1925 owing to the illness of Mrs. Finlay and exercised a gracious ministry in Hadnall, Bishop’s Castle, West Hartlepool, Oldham IV, East Wight, Faringdon, Retford (Carolgate), Rugby (six years) and Orrell. 

He retired in 1948 after forty-two years of active service, and went to Bembridge as an active supernumerary. Here he was compelled, through ill health, to give up altogether. He entered a nursing-home and recovered sufficiently to go to Clive in the Wem circuit. After a long illness he passed peacefully away on Sunday, April 5, 1953, at the age of seventy, in the triumph of that Easter Day. 

He had served Methodism for forty-seven years. He was a lovable man, loved the fellowship of men, and won the affection and esteem of all who knew him. To the end his friendship and kindly advice were given unstintingly. His zeal for overseas missions was an inspiration. His heart was in Africa, and his wide embracing missionary consciousness influenced his ministry in the home circuits.

Family

Christopher was born on 23 August 1882 at Pershore Colliery, Co. Durham, to parents John, a coal miner, and Mary Ann.

Before entering the ministry, Christopher worked as a coal miner.

He married Hannah Hudson (1884-1949) in the summer of 1910 at Oakham, Rutland. The 1933 Methodist Who’s Who records that they had one daughter.

Christopher died on 5 April 1953 at Clive, nr Wem, Shropshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1906 Oakham
• 1908 Thetford
• 1910 Crewe II
• 1912 W Africa
• 1921 Congleton
• 1925 Hadnall
• 1926 Bishop’s Castle
• 1928 West Hartlepool
• 1931 Oldham IV
• 1933 Ryde & Sandown
• 1934 East Wight
• 1936 Farringdon
• 1937 Retford Carolgate
• 1940 Rugby
• 1946 Orrell
• 1948 E Wight (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1953/149

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers