Samuel CHAPMAN

CHAPMAN, SAMUEL (b. Sheffield, England, 28 Nov 1831, d. Melbourne, Vic, 10 Sept 1899). Baptist minister.

Son of Samuel Chapman, pawnbroker, and Mary (née Sissons), Chapman studied for the ministry at the Baptist College at Rawdon, near Leeds. He was pastor at Birmingham, Rochdale and Hope Street Glasgow. His wife's poor health prompted him in 1877 to accept a call to the Collins Street Baptist church in Melbourne.

Chapman became the effective leader of the Baptist churches in Victoria during his 22 year ministry (1877-99) at Collins Street. His preaching was marked by a homely style and evangelistic passion. The church grew and supported new causes. In 1885, when the Collins Street chapel was altered, the church met in the Theatre Royal when more than two thousand attended special evening services. In a Daily Telegraph poll to find the city's leading preacher, Chapman was clearly the most popular. A collection of his sermons was published after his death, The Old Paths (Melbourne, 1902).

Chapman was president of the Baptist Association of Victoria in 1879/80, 1885/86, 1888/89 and was a key figure in the establishment of the Baptist College of Victoria and the Victorian Baptist Fund which raised £50 000 in four years to match an anonymous gift.

Chapman was also involved in inter denominational activity, being a leading supporter of the China Inland Mission. He shared in the foundation of the Geelong Convention, the first Australian Keswick-style convention for the deepening of the spiritual life in 1891.

His health broke down in 1897 and he never fully recovered. He was survived by his wife, six daughters and two sons.

ADB 3; B S Brown, Members One of Another (Melbourne, 1962); D M Himbury, Centenary History of the Victorian Baptist Fund (Melbourne, 1988)

K R MANLEY