Arthur Henry ORR

ORR, ARTHUR HENRY (HARRY) (b. Waverley, Sydney, NSW, 2 Nov 1910; d. Eastwood, NSW, 28 Dec 1992). Baptist minister.

Orr grew up in a Sydney Baptist community, professing Christian faith under the guidance of James Douglas Mill (q.v.). He later m. Lois, J D and Mrs Mill's daughter. After clerical work, Orr served with AIM at Corona Tank (NSW) before studying at the NSW Baptist Theological College under G H Morling (q.v.).

Ordained 29 Sept 1934, Orr pastored a series of suburban Sydney churches, notably Ashfield 1946-66, and was head of the Victorian Baptist Missionary Department 1971-7 where he brought vigorous administrative competence. He was president of the Baptist Union of NSW 1963-4 when he led the opposition to affiliation to the WCC. His most significant ministry outside Baptist circles was as follow-up chairman (1959), and co-director, of the Billy Graham Crusade (1979).

Orr's concern was to preach the gospel. 'His inspirational delivery ... was always directed to challenge his listeners to commit themselves to Christian faith and service'. (NSW BaptistFeb/Mar 1993). He was also an innovative pastor: he established evacuation homes during World War Two, and at Ashfield the Norland Hostel for country girls. He began (1950) the development of a geriatric facility now run by NSW Baptists. He introduced the All Age Sunday School system to Australia.

Orr also gave much time to promoting the Baptist Union and the Baptist College, as well as the NSW New Guinea Mission. At the College as secretary and administrator he was instrumental in acquiring the large Eastwood site where it now is located. The New Guinea Mission grew out of his service as a wartime chaplain there, for which he was mentioned in despatches. He served on the Australian Baptist Missionary Society board 1950-77.

Orr combined substantial organisational capacities and a dedication to the local congregation with an evangelical piety and evangelistic urgency forged in his formative years under the guidance of Mill and Morling. These talents were well received by Baptists in the growing suburbs of Sydney, especially in the prosperous post-war years.

BRIAN DICKEY