Wallace, George Edward (1880-1953)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

GEORGE EDWARD WALLACE: born at Stanhope, co. Durham, in 1880. He came of a family that was closely associated with Stanhope Primitive Methodist Church and for some years was organist there. When he became a local preacher his two brothers followed his example, and all three of them rendered great service throughout Weardale. After being accepted for the ministry he was trained at Hartley College, and in 1909 went to Birmingham where he took a prominent part in the Birmingham Forward Movement. Later, he travelled in both town and country circuits, and became greatly loved by a wide circle of friends, with many of whom he corresponded to the end of his days. 

Faithful as a pastor, he was always welcomed into the homes of his people, and by his ready understanding of human need he won universal confidence and esteem. To his preaching he gave of his best. He was painstaking in preparation and brought into his sermons the results of wide reading and scholarly application. He proved himself an able and conscientious administrator, utterly abhorring slackness and carelessness in any matter great or small. 

Deafness became a severe handicap to him and forced him to retire several years earlier than he would have wished, but as long as strength permitted he continued to preach and to address meetings. During the last two years of his life he suffered from failing health, but his courage did not forsake him and he accepted with equanimity the prospect of death. The call to higher service came on May 5, 1953, in the seventy-third year of his age and the forty-fourth of his ministry. 

Family

George was born on 6 July 1880 at Stanhope, Co. Durham, to parents John Wallace, a railway signalman (1881), and Dorothy Watson. He was baptised on 12 September 1880 at Stanhope.

Before entering the ministry George worked as a quarry clerk (1901).

George died on 5 May 1953 at Gateshead, Co. Durham.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1909 Supply
• 1910 Glasgow II
• 1913 Pocklington
• 1915 Lichfield
• 1919 Abertillery
• 1923 Wallingford
• 1928 Kingstone
• 1929 Hurstborne T
• 1936 Reading (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1953/152

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers