DICKERSON, Alfred Robert 1875 - 1962

Born at Edmonton in 1875. His early years were greatly influenced by C. H. Spurgeon, who gave him a zeal for preaching which remained all his life.

In his youth he showed such remarkable gifts as a preacher that he was invited to enter Spurgeon’s College in London.

After this training he entered the Ministry of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and travelled in Poole, Torquay, Bishop Auckland, Scarborough, Leeds, Wakefield, Batley, Kingston-upon-Thames, Bromley, Douglas, The Hartlepools and Bridlington.

His early promise was richly fulfilled. And he became an eloquent and powerful preacher, with a commanding use of language.

This gift of expression was completely devoted to the service of his Master, whom he loved with all his being.

He was at one time a frequent contributor to the Methodist Recorder.

He was blessed with a strong sense of humour, and cheerfulness was characteristic of him. His pastoral work brought courage and hope into the lives of his people, and he is remembered as a man of integrity whose strength was drawn from God.

In 1942 he became a supernumerary, but the years of retirement were overshadowed by the long illness of his wife.

After her death his own health declined, and he was unable to return to preaching. But he gave encouragement to those who continued the work, and it was always a joy to him that he had been privileged to be a preacher of the everlasting Gospel.

He died on 12 April 1962, in the eighty-seventh year of his age and the sixtieth of his ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1962