Patrick John STEPHEN

STEPHEN, PATRICK JOHN (b. Peterhead, Scotland, 2 Feb 1864; d. Ashfield, NSW, 22 July 1938). Methodist minister.

The son of Peter Stephen, sea captain, Patrick early developed an interest in social questions and the welfare of the working class through participation in a city mission in Aberdeen. He migrated to Sydney in 1886 where he immediately joined the Wesleyan Methodist ministry. After one year's training, he began an active ministry of 41 years marrying Amy Blackmore 20 March 1890. He served in the following circuits: Homebush, Balmain, Parramatta, Wesley Church (Sydney), West Maitland, Leichhardt, CMM, Newtown, Lindfield, Manly, Annandale and Ashfield. Stephen was president of the Methodist Conference of NSW in 1917. Noted for his work among young people, he was president of the Christian Endeavour Union in New South Wales in 1896. He was chairman of the Council of Churches for a time and heavily involved in the Protestant defence movement of the day.

Vigorously opposed to the Higher Criticism and the new scientific ideas, Stephen was regarded as a sound conservative theologian and teacher of theological students. He was a fiery, emotional fundamentalist preacher and a good platform speaker. Nevertheless, he retained his early interest in social questions and was a strong advocate of trade unionism, supporting the Lucknow gold miners in their 1897 strike. At the same time, he argued for an adequate system of industrial arbitration to eliminate the need for strikes.

He did his best work among the working classes at the Balmain and Leichhardt Central Missions each of which he founded successively, transforming a failing cause into a flourishing mission through the use of open air services with brass bands to attract a congregation. He also revived the failing Methodist Class Meeting and used it as the training ground for his new converts. Later, he spent six years at the Sydney CMM, four as colleague to W G Taylor (q.v.) and two as superintendent, leaving there in 1915 only because the strain of continuous mission work was threatening his ministry.

Methodist, 14 April 1894, 7 May 1898, 13 June 1903, 25 April 1908, 3 March 1917, 5 March 1927, 30 July 1938; Methodist Church of Australasia, NSW Conference, Minutes, 1939, 81; Wesleyan Advocate, 5 July 1890; D I Wright, Mantle of Christ (St Lucia, 1984)

DON WRIGHT