Harry REEVE

REEVE, HARRY (b. Norwich, England, 1883; d. Perth, WA, 7 Jan 1968). Baptist minister in WA.

Reeve migrated to WA in 1910. Although untrained and unordained, he pastored the Albany Baptist Church 1912-19. In 1919 he moved to Perth, where he undertook interim ministries prior to becoming pastor of North Perth Church (with responsibility for Osborne Park also) later in 1919. In that year he also became editor of the West Australian Baptist News, a position he held for over 16 years. In 1921 he produced the Coming of Age Souvenir: North Perth Baptist Church (Inc.) 1900-1921. He served the Union as President in the 1923/1924 year, and not long afterwards concluded his North Perth pastorate to become the Baptist Union's organizing secretary and evangelist (from 1 July 1925). For the first time the Union had a full-time secretary, although the equivalent of three months of the year were to be spent conducting evangelistic missions in country and city churches. When Reeve relinquished this position on 31 Oct 1928, it was to be a quarter of a century before another full-time secretary was appointed. From 192845 he was pastor of the Perth Baptist Church; his retirement, on medical advice, coincided with that Church's jubilee year.

During his pastorate in Perth Church, as well as serving the Union on various committees, Reeve engaged in a regular radio ministry and was a valued member of the city clergy fraternal. While firmly committed to the Baptist form of discipleship and witness, he crossed denominational barriers more readily and more confidently than many of his fellow Baptist ministers. On several occasions he conducted evangelistic missions within the Anglican communion with outstanding results. Following retirement, indifferent health led him to live quietly in the hills near Perth, he was survived by his second wife, a daughter, and a son.

G Helyar, 'Rev. Harry Reeve' Westralian Baptist 6:2 (1991)

RICHARD K MOORE