Hubbuck, Albert Reginald B.A., B.D., Ph.D. (1903-1987)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

ALBERT REGINALD HUBBUCK, B.A., B.D., Ph.D.: born at Prudhoe-on-Tyne on 31st December 1903. At an early age he entered the profession of a Mines Surveyor, but many Christian influences were at work in Reg’s life, particularly through the Mickley Primitive Methodist Church. Here, at the age of 18 years, in a class meeting ‘Christ became real’ to him. He became an organist, a Sunday School teacher, and a Local Preacher, being accredited at the same time as Rachel Clarence, whom he was to marry two days after his ordination in 1936. 

After training at Hartley College, Manchester, he served in Glasgow, Paisley (Girvan), Edinburgh, Newcastle, Didsbury, Stockport, Swansea and Birkenhead (Heswall). Twice he and Rachel engaged in exchange visits to the United States, one to Pennsylvania lasting thirteen months. Following three years as an Active Supernumerary in Southampton, he and Rachel ‘retired’ from the ministry in which they had always been partners. They moved to Abingdon to be near their family, and shared in the fellowship at Trinity United (Methodist/URC) Church. For some years he acted as pastor to the Milton Church, and despite increasing frailty he continued to take appointments on the preaching plan until his death. 

An academic, he had a common touch in honest preaching, joyful worship, and warm pastoral care. A man of deep spirituality, his faith shone in his eyes and touched all that he did. A leader of people to Christ, he encouraged vocations to various forms of ministry. He was always part of the circuit ministerial ‘team’, never failing to support his colleagues. Right to the end he was looking forward to further opportunities for service, and wished to accept invitations to special occasions in previous circuits. 

To Rachel and to their three children, Peggy, Jack and George, we extend our love and sympathy. He died peacefully at home on 9th August 1987, in the eighty-fourth year of his age and the fifty-fifth year of his ministry.

Family

Reginald was born on 31 December 1903 at Prudhoe, Northumberland, to parents John William Hubbuck, a foreman at coke ovens (1911), and Sarah Jane Leathard.

He married Rachel Clarence (1906-1994) in the summer of 1936 in the Hexham Registration District, Northumberland.

Reginald died on 8 August 1887 at Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1932 Glasgow II
• 1933 Glasgow Parkhead
• 1936 Glasgow P & Burbank
• 1938 Paisley Mission
• 1942 Edinburgh Mission
• 1946 Newcastle Heaton
• 1949 Stockport Tiviot Dale
• 1954 Hazel Grove &c
• 1957 U.S.A.
• 1958 Hazel Grove &c
• 1960 Swansea
• 1966 Birkenhead
• 1971 Southampton (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1988/35

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers