BRADFORD, Ernest John Illsley

Born at Lewisham in 1881. He entered the Ministry of the Church of England in 1911 and transferred to the Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1918.

He served circuits at Haverfordwest, Stoke-on-Trent Mission, St Just, Barton-on-Humber and Gainsborough.

In 1929 he unfortunately had a breakdown in health which necessitated his retirement at an early age.

Whilst a supernumerary he lived first at Margate, then at Palmers Green, London, where he worshipped at Bowes Park Church. In 1948 he moved to Cockfosters, Barnet. During his long retirement he. took a keen interest in all the religious and social problems of the day and spent much time in prayer for the coming of Christ’s Kingdom. He found solace and help through his interest in painting and music.

He died on 8 August 1961, in the seventy-ninth year of his age and the fiftieth of his ministry.

Minutes of Conference 1962 – Page 205 – Section XVI

MINISTERS WHO HAVE DIED, 1961-62

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 2014