Randell, Charles Henry (1890-1974)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

CHARLES HENRY RANDELL: born in Hartlepool on 16th February 1890. After spending several years as a teacher, he entered the ministry in 1915 and was trained at Hartley Victoria College. During his active ministry he travelled in the following circuits: South Wales Mission, South Yorkshire Mission, Otley, Mexborough, Willenhall, Gateshead (Prince Consort Road and West), Leeds (Belle Vue), York (Monkgate), Leicester (Curzon Street), and Bradford (East). In 1956 he retired and spent five years as an active supernumerary at Stow-on-the-Wold in the Chipping Norton Circuit. In 1961 he went to live in Gosport, and continued to preach regularly in the Gosport and Fareham Circuit until he was taken ill in 1973.

In all his circuits he was remembered with gratitude and affection. In the pulpit his clear, thoughtful preaching strengthened faith and hope, and the consistent care of his people ensured comfort and guidance. He was an able administrator, who served in several District offices. In his early years he was a keen sportsman, playing many games well, particularly football. This aspect of his life found expression in several circuits in the innovation of sportsmen’s services, at which prominent Christian sportsmen gave their testimony to the part that their faith played in their lives. Throughout his ministry he was ably supported in his work by his wife, who was a constant source of help and encouragement to him, until her death in 1971. 

He died on 15th August 1974 in the eighty-fifth year of his age and the fifty-ninth year of his ministry.

Family

Charles was born on 16 February 1890 at Hartlepool, Co. Durham, to parents John Peter Randell, a marine boiler maker (1891), and Sarah Jane Garthwiate. He was baptised on 13 March 1890 at Brougham Street PM Chapel, Hartlepool.

Charles worked as an Elementary School teacher before entering the ministry.

He married Emma Baldry (1888-1971) in the spring of 1919 at Hartlepool, Co. Durham. Birth records identify two children.

• Edward C (1920-1930)
• Arthur Garthwaite (b1923)

Charles died on 15 August 1974 at Gosport, Hampshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1915 S Wales Mission
• 1919 S Yorks Mission
• 1922 Otley
• 1926 Mexborough
• 1930 Willenhall
• 1934 Gateshead Pr
• 1935 Gateshead W
• 1939 Leeds, Belle Vue
• 1944 York, Monkg
• 1948 Leicester Cur
• 1952 Bradford E
• 1956 Chipping Norton (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1975/186

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers