Richardson, Philip Melancthon (1878-1939)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

PHILIP MELANCTHON RICHARDSON: born at Leicester in 1878. Early in life he responded to the call to become an evangelist and had a rich and fruitful experience while travelling with one of the Rev. Joseph Odell’s mission vans. He entered Hartley College for training in 1905.

As a circuit minister he manifested great gifts and graces. He left behind in every circuit a host of friends and gracious memories. For his work he was always as careful and thorough in the preparation of his own heart as he was of his message. One felt that his experience was sustained by the eternal verities of the Christian Faith. His pulpit ministry, for which he read widely, was helpful and healing, instructive and edifying. In his pastoral ministries it was his aim to know his people and their home life, and to share in their experiences of sorrow and of joy. His sympathy was ever of the practical kind and found expression in a characteristic generosity and kindness. His charming personality was evident in his capacity for friendship. He had a courageous outlook on life and never shirked those tasks that duty demanded.

While undergoing treatment in hospital, in the midst of his weakness and suffering, it is revealed that he wrote down in his diary a list of the names of the doctors, surgeons, and nurses who had ministered to him, together with a note that they were to be thanked and remembered for their great kindness to him. He died in the Sunderland Royal Infirmary on May 29, 1939.

Family

Philip was born in 1878 at Leicester, Leicestershire, to parents George, a boot manufacturer, and Emma.

He married Edith Whittington (1876-1942) in the summer of 1911 at Leicester, Leicestershire. Birth records identify two children.

Henry Martin (1913-1974) – a research chemist (1939)
Amy Evelyn (21/4/1918-2010) – a comptometer operator 91939); married Robert B Carney in 1944; married Kenneth J Wilkins in 1955

Philip died on 29 May 1939 at the Royal Infirmary, Sunderland, Co. Durham.