Horace John HANNAH

HANNAH, HORACE JOHN (b. Collingwood Vic, 25 Jan 1872, d. Melbourne, Vic, 12 Oct 1958). Evangelical layman in Melbourne.

Hannah left school when he was 15 and worked with the ES&A Bank for 50 years, becoming chief inspector. Despite his limited education he became a bibliophile, amassing an excellent theological library. His reading served to emphasise his evangelical commitment. This found expression in his work, where many of the staff called him a 'wowser'. He was also instrumental in the conversion of Edwin Lee Neil (q.v.). In his church life he was mainly responsible for the commencement of St Andrew's Church of England, Rosanna, as a branch church of Heidelberg where he ministered as a lay reader. He was also involved with the Mollison Library of Trinity College and the cathedral buildings. Most of his energies were devoted to evangelical causes such as Ridley College, of which he was treasurer; CMS —his involvement was with missionaries rather than at an administrative level; the Mission to Lepers, now the Leprosy Mission; the City Business Men's Bible class—he was a close friend and supporter of Rev Clifford Harris Nash (q.v.).

In 1902 he married Katherine Berry, whose parents played a significant role in his conversion and spiritual growth. The Hannahs had six children of whom two, Wellesley and Shirley [Feuerheerd], were CMS missionaries, in Tanganyika for many years.

Hannah was a vigorous enthusiastic evangelical, uncompromising in his opposition to anglo-catholicism and theological liberalism. He was a shrewd judge of character and possessed much common sense.

DARRELL PAPROTH