David O’DONNELL

O’DONNELL, DAVID (b. 1845; d. Melbourne, Vic, 21 June 1914). Wesleyan Methodist evangelist.

A product of the Lydiard St Sunday School in Ballarat, O'Donnell was converted by 'California' Taylor (q.v.) and became a local preacher with the Wesleyan Methodists. In 1869 he commenced ministry at Sandhurst and Daylesford and was admitted to full connection with the Wesleyan Conference in 1873. The General Conference wished to station him in New Zealand, but he refused and resigned. For a time he served with the Congregationalists, but from 1876-1908 he served as an evangelist on both sides of the Tasman. In 1887 the SA Wesleyan Conference appointed him conference evangelist. The following year he reported having preached 222 sermons and received 1120 penitents. The Victorian Conference appointed him evangelist in 1895 and during his last years he worked mostly in that state. He was an ardent millenialist.

Minutes of Victoria and Tasmania [Wesleyan] Conference, 1915 pp 54-55

IAN BREWARD