Macrow, Harold Oliver (1875-1958)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1930
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1930

Early years

Harold was born in 1875 at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, to parents John Thomas Macrow and Jane Hinson Pepper. Harold was baptised on 29 March 1875 at Cambridge. His family were associated with the St Peter’s Street Church. John worked as a tailor.

Before entering Hartley College in 1900, Harold served as a lay agent in circuits in the Midlands and Yorkshire.

Ministry

His obituary records that Harold had reason to be proud of his work in many districts of Methodism. The building of a church at Cressington was so lovely that it gained the name of the Cathedral of the Peak; a successful amalgamation scheme in the Isle of Wight and an adventurous grasping of an opportunity in Aberdare revealed his great qualities.

He was a sparkling person in whose heart laughter dwelt. He possessed a deep peace springing from a boundless faith in God. He loved simple people and had a genius for friendship.

Family

Harold married Catherine Beatrice Coley, nee Coster (abt1871-1947) in early 1907 at Rotherham, Yorkshire. She was the daughter of Rev Geoge Thomas Coster, a noted hymn writer and Congregational minister. Census returns and birth records identify three children.

  • Hilary Joyce (1909-1988)
  • Brian Paul Coster (1910-1970) – a garage proprietor (1958)
  • Mary Vennall (1911-1997)

Harold died on 27 May 1958 at Ryde, Isle of Wight.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1902 Filey
  • 1906 Leeds VIII
  • 1909 Mexborough
  • 1912 Winster
  • 1913 Bucknall
  • 1916 Bollington
  • 1918 Preston III
  • 1923 Nelson
  • 1926 Bradwell
  • 1932 Chalfont St Giles
  • 1937 Petersfield
  • 1940 East Wight
  • 1944 Aberdare
  • 1947 Aberdare (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1930/685

Methodist Minutes 1958/197

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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