Wareham, Luther (1890-1954)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference 

LUTHER WAREHAM: born at Audley, North Staffordshire, in 1890. The son of a local preacher, he entered the Primitive Methodist ministry in 1916 after training at Hartley College. His first appointment was to Redhill, Surrey, and he travelled in the King’s Lynn, Oxford, Witney, Stewkley, and Birmingham (Small Heath) circuits before he went to Bradford in 1929. It was there at the Central Hall that he exercised an outstanding ministry for eleven difficult years; there he found scope for his wide human interests and for his deep sympathy with all sorts and conditions of men. However great the demands made upon his strength and courage, he proved equal to them. 

Leaving Bradford in 1940, he served in Grimsby, Heckmondwike, and Stockton circuits, but failing health compelled him to retire at a comparatively early age in 1953. He had burnt himself out in the service of the Church and the Lord he loved to serve. He filled several secretarial offices and served on various committees, but preaching was his first love. It was his greatest regret in his retirement that he could no longer continue to preach. Those who were privileged to know him will remember his keen sense of humour, his zest for life, his brotherly affection, and his understanding of human weakness.

After great suffering, he died on 30th December 1954, in the sixty-fourth year of his age and the thirty-eighth of his ministry.

Family

Luther was born on 16 December 1890 at Audley, Staffordshire, to parents Elijah Wareham, a rate collector (1911), and Mary Ann Edwards.

Before entering the ministry Luther worked as a baker and grocer (1911).

He married Ethel Beatrice Hunt (1894-1979) in the summer of 1920 at Audley, Staffordshire. Birth records identify one child.

• Doreen (1932-1982)

Luther died on 30 December 1954 at Bradford, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1916 Redhill
• 1919 Oxford
• 1920 Witney
• 1924 Stewkley
• 1927 Birmingham I
• 1929 Bradford I
• 1933 Bradford C H
• 1940 Grimsby Mission
• 1945 Heckmondwike
• 1951 Stockton
• 1953 Bradford (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1955/129

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers