Wood, Lawrence Henry (1885-1971)

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A Tale That is Told . . . Souvenir Handbook of Primitive Methodism in the Forest Hill Circuit 1882-1932

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

LAWRENCE HENRY WOOD: born in Leeds in 1885. Trained at Hartley College, Manchester, and entering the active ministry in 1911, his probation years were spent with four Presidents of the Primitive Methodist Conference in Hull, Whitechapel, Luton I, and Forest Hill. After two years as a Chaplain to the Forces in Egypt and Palestine he ministered with distinction in Hull V, Grimsby I, Stockton-on-Tees, Leicester II, Cleethorpes (Mill Rd), Northampton (Kettering Rd), Southport (North), Andover (East St). 

A man of great natural charm he was always popular in the best sense of the word. Whilst being held in the highest respect and affection by his own people his appeal went far beyond the Church and he became a well-known figure in the local community wherever he served. Deeply interested in public and social affairs his preaching was always topical and lively, with a style that commanded attention. He was a first-class administrator with great business ability and a meticulous care for detail. As a pastor he excelled, entering deeply into the lives of his people and winning their confidence with his manly sincerity and assured Christian faith. Immaculate in appearance, courteous and well-mannered almost to excess, all who knew him will remember him as the perfect gentleman. 

His last words, ‘Thank you, my dear’, spoken to the nurse whe brought him his breakfast only minutes before he died were absolutely in character. He died on 1 March 1971, in the eighty-fifth year of his age and the sixtieth of his ministry.

Family

Lawrence was born on 1 September 1885 at Leeds, Yorkshire, to parents Thomas Wood, an insurance commission agent (1901), and Mary Firth. He was baptised on 5 September 1885 at Armley, Leeds.

He married Gertrude Harris Heywood (1881-1927) in the summer of 1917 in the West Ham Registration District, Essex

He married Hannah Jackson (b1889) in the summer of 1930 at Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham.

Lawrence died on 1 March 1971 at Harrogate, Yorkshire..

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1911 Hull I
• 1912 Whitechapel
• 1913 Luton I
• 1914 Forest Hill
• 1918 Chaplain H.M. Forces Aldershot
• 1920 Hull V
• 1922 Grimsby I
• 1926 Stockton
• 1930 Leicester II
• 1933 Grimsby & Cleethorpes
• 1937 Cleethorpes Mill Rd
• 1940 Northampton Kettering
• 1944 Southport N
• 1951 Andover (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1971/179

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers