Heaton, Abijah (1873-1949)

Transcription of Obituary in Minutes of Methodist Conference

Born at Chorley, Lancashire, in 1873. Deprived of both parents at the age of ten, his early years were marked by an exceptional hardship which enriched his later life.

From Hartley College he entered the Primitive Methodist Ministry in 1895 to spend the greater part of his ministry within the Manchester District, in which he became well known and loved.

He rendered valuable service for a number of years as District Chapel Secretary, but preferred to devote himself to his own circuits, which he managed wisely and well.

It was as a pastor that he excelled. He knew his flock, and his sympathy, patience, humour, and good understanding of people made him their trusted friend, counsellor, and guide. He was a gifted and effective preacher.

Thoroughly prepared, well- ordered, and arresting sermons were delivered with complete independence of notes, and with eloquence and power.

Retiring from the active ministry in 1937, he found a sphere of service which brought joy to him and blessing to others in the honorary pastorate of a Stockport Congregational Church.

After a brief illness he entered into his rest on the 26th July 1949, in the fifty-fifth year of his ministry and the seventy-seventh of his age.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1950

Family

Abijah was born on 10 March 1873 at Chorley, Lancashire. His father was Robert Heaton.

Abijah worked as a coal miner before entering the ministry.

He married Louise Marion Helene Evans (1876-1947) in late 1901 at Cardiff, Glamorgan. Census returns identify one child.

  • Cyril Carlyle (1902-1965) – production engineer of associated electrical industry (1939)

Abijah died on 26 July 1949 at Hazel Grove, Cheshire.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1895 Chatham
  • 1896 New Brompton
  • 1898 High Wycombe
  • 1900 Pocklington
  • 1902 Bury
  • 1908 Manchester IX
  • 1913 St Helens
  • 1916 Stockport I
  • 1937 Manchester (S)

References

Methodist Minutes1949/150

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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