John James KITCHEN

KITCHEN, JOHN JAMES (b. Melbourne, Vic, 16 April 1866; d. Kew, Vic, 24 June 1952). Doctor and missionary leader.

Kitchen was educated at Hawthorn and Caulfield Grammar Schools before studying medicine at Melbourne University, though without much enthusiasm. In 1892 he bought a large and busy practice in South Melbourne. However he did not enjoy robust health and he relinquished the practice after 18 years. Following a trip to China to visit CIM missionaries and then to England via the trans-Siberian railway Kitchen settled in Kew. He worked part time as an anaesthetist for a leading surgeon and one afternoon a week at the Melbourne General Hospital. The rest of his time he devoted to Christian causes.

In 1898 Kitchen became treasurer of CIM following the death of his father who had held the office. Not long after he also became secretary and then CIM home director for Australia and New Zealand, serving until 1938. Concerned about the lack of training for missionary candidates Kitchen suggested to the CIM council that a training institute was needed, and that his friend Rev C H Nash (q.v.) was the man to be principal. The council agreed and in 1920 MBI was founded. Kitchen was on the executive council for 30 years.

Kitchen was also involved with the Upwey Convention from its earliest days and served as chairman for almost 20 years. His other interests included the Evangelisation Society of Australia, the Prayer Union for Israel, the Poona and India Village Mission and the United Missionary Council. For some years he arranged second advent conferences in Melbourne and gave medical lectures at St Hilda's Training Home.

Kitchen married Clara Balfour Carter on 8 Jan 1887. They had four children, of whom the two boys, James Howard and Philip Ridley, were later prominent in evangelical work: James served in China with CIM. His wife was a Baptist and by mutual consent the children went to Kew Baptist Church; Kitchen himself was a Brethren and for 40 years a member of the Kew Gospel Hall.

Kitchen inherited a nervous temperament, and in his younger years was timid and excessively shy. He was not naturally a public speaker but made his contribution to evangelical causes by serving on committees. He was somewhat autocratic but also dignified and reverent. His emphasis on punctuality and brevity of words made him an excellent chairman. He was a respected leader in the evangelical community.

DARRELL PAPROTH