Fenwick, Robert Jennison (1879-1965)

Christian Messenger 1910

Early years

Robert was born on 27 December 1879 at Hull, Yorkshire, to parents Mason Fenwick and Ellen Jennison. Mason was a tailor.

Robert was working as a clerk at the docks when he heard the call to ministry.

Ministry

Robert moved to Mountain Ash in South Wales at a time when the worst effects of the 1921 strike were being felt. In 1926 he wrote an article in the Primitive Methodist Leader describing the plight of the unemployed and appealed for food, clothing and money, which brought a generous response. Many unemployed people looked upon his visits with his portmanteau full of clothes and shoes as providential. His wife looked after the clothing store at the manse. Some of his experiences of those years were recorded in a booklet he published, ‘Memories of a South Wales Coal Valley’. The royalties from it he donated for the purchasing of the freehold of Newtown Methodist Church.

The beautiful Pentrepoeth Church, Morriston, was built as a result of his untiring efforts.

Robert was a faithful pastor, a fervent evangelical preacher and he brought business acumen to his administrative duties. For several years he was Assistant Secretary of the Cardiff and Swansea Synod. He was President of the Welsh Christian Endeavour Union in 1940 and of the Swansea Union in 1952.

Family

Robert married Lucy Phoebe Ann Peach (1879-1950) in the spring of 1907 at Bakewell, Derbyshire. Lucy was a daughter of Rev Henry Peach.

Robert died on 23 July 1965 at Brynhfryd, Swansea, Glamorgan.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1903 Brigg
  • 1907 Hull III
  • 1910 Wellingborough
  • 1914 New Mills
  • 1921 Mountain Ash
  • 1929 Rhymney Valley
  • 1933 Swansea Pell St
  • 1948 Swansea (Sup)

References

PM Minutes 1966/187

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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