Ralph, Arundell (1872-1950)

Obituary from Minutes of the Methodist Conference

Born at St. Columb, Cornwall, in 1872. To the end of his life he retained a loving interest in the district in which his early years were spent. Since his retirement from the active Ministry he had counted it a great joy to render any assistance to the old home circuit.

He entered the Bible Christian Ministry in 1898 after a year at college, and often spoke with pride and affection of his old denomination and the fellowship of the Ministry he had been privileged to enjoy. This he found was not lost, but rather amplified in the wider union of the United Methodist and later of the Methodist Church.

He travelled in various circuits ranging from Jersey to Gateshead, and in all is remembered with gratitude. Before the larger union, he was appointed Chairman of the last Exeter and Shebbear District, and in his inaugural address paid gracious tribute to the workers of the past and spoke with confidence of the future. ‘ We will face the new road also with a Doxology to God in which shall be found all the notes of a big world adventure.’

To his preaching he gave constant thought and prayer. It meant much to him and consequently much to his people. He had a deep sense of responsibility, mingled with the joy of being an ambassador for his Lord.

The last seven years of his ministry were spent in the St. Austell (Zion) Circuit.

He retired in 1944, continuing to preach with great acceptance. He had a wide circle of friends and was held in highest honour by old and young alike for his courageous leadership and insight.

He was called home on 5th May 1950, in the fifty-second year of his ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1950

Family

Arundell was born in Tregidden, St. Keverne, Cornwall, on 12th October 1872, to Arundell Ralph, a miller (1881) then a farmer (1891), and his wife Mary A.

Before going to  College he was working on his father’s farm (1891)

He married Rhoda James (nee Hosking 1872-1940) during the 3rd quarter of 1904 in Redruth Registration District. He then married Winifred Martin Webb on 27th January 1941 in Plymouth

Arundell  died on 5th May 1950 in St. Austell, Cornwall.

Circuits

• 1897  College
• 1898  Sevenoaks
• 1902  Birmingham (received into Full Connexion)
• 1903  Portsmouth
• 1907  Chatham and New Brompton
• 1909  Chatham, Gillingham and Rochester
• 1912   Taunton
• 1916   Jersey
• 1921   Oldbury
• 1923  Gateshead, Whitehall Road
• 1928  Exeter Providence
• 1932  Truro St Georges
• 1937  St. Austell, Zion
• 1944  St. Austell, Zion (supernumerary)

He was Chairman of the Newcastle upon Tyne District in 1927 and the Exeter and Shebbear District in 1931

References

Oliver A Beckerlegge, United Methodist ministers and their circuits: Being an arrangement in alphabetical order of the stations of ministers of the Methodist New … and the United Methodist Church, 1797-1932

Ministers and probationers of the Methodist Church: formerly Wesleyan, Primitive and United Methodist ; with their appointments in chronological and alphabetical order … revised to the conference of 1936

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Minutes of the Methodist Conference 1950 p 109