AlLan Walter WEBB

WEBB, ALLAN WALTER (b. England, 17 June 1838; d. Geelong, Vic, 16 April 1902). Baptist pastor.

Allan Walter Webb was one of the most outstanding Baptist leaders in the early life of the church in Australia. Much of the growth of the Baptist denomination can be attributed to the foresight, planning and participation which Webb had gleaned in his early years under the guidance of Silas Mead (q.v.) in SA.

The son of a poor Baptist from Leamington, Warwickshire, he was born to parents who had been ostracised following their marriage. Webb's mother came from an aristocratic family who despised the marriage of their daughter. The union produced two sons, Allan Walter and Edward William and in August 1849 the boys' mother died and the broken hearted father sobbed himself into the grave. The two boys were separated, Allan being sent to India whilst Edward came to Australia, both to spend time with relatives and friends. Having concluded his education in India, Allan Webb came to Australia in search of his brother whom he found living in poverty in Sydney. The two boys then went to Adelaide and became involved in a Methodist church and after some time became part of the North Adelaide Baptist Church where Webb became a Christian and was subsequently baptised.

He then worked amongst the neglected and deprived in Adelaide under the guidance of Silas Mead and in July 1862 commenced work in his first pastorate at Alberton. It was here that he met his wife, Janet Underwood and after a short ministry moved to NSW in March 1864 where he commenced work at Maitland near Newcastle. Following extreme floods in the area in 1867 Webb moved to Sydney where he commenced work as the pastor of the Harris Street Baptist Church in Dec 1867.

On 3 Jan 1868 Webb was instrumental in bringing together the Baptist churches who were interested in forming the NSW Baptist Association. At the inaugural meeting of delegates (11 Feb 1868) the association came into existence. Amongst its objectives were to 'bring the [Baptist] Churches of their Ministers into closer contact with one another'. The constitution was subsequently passed and Webb as secretary was able to assist in the growth and development of the association. On 18 Jan 1870 Webb was able to form with the Rev Phillip Lane 'The Baptist Union of NSW, being the United Association of Churches'.

In Nov 1870 Webb involved himself in a publishing venture and produced a denominational paper Australian Christian Messenger. Unfortunately it only lasted two years. During this time Webb was president of the Baptist Union of NSW, a position he was to hold on three occasions. Webb's ministry concluded at Harris Street in March 1877 when it had been recognised as the largest Baptist Church in NSW.

Commencing his ministry in Auckland, New Zealand in April 1877 Webb build up a church which was one of the largest in New Zealand. His ministry came to a conclusion in September 1881 when he accepted a call to the North Adelaide Baptist Church. Webb was an evangelist and carried his ministry to the forefront of Baptist work in Adelaide and it was here that he was instrumental in involving himself in mission work.

In Nov 1884 he moved to Melbourne to become pastor of the Albert Street Church and continued on a successful ministry involving himself in Victorian Baptist Union matters and foreign mission work. He was responsible for the formation of the Zenana Missionary Society, published a number of Baptist journals including the Victorian Freemen. In 1890 he moved to Geelong where he commenced a ministry at the Aberdeen Church remaining there until his death.

It was recorded upon his death that he was a careful student who read widely in all departments of literature, was a man of fervent piety with strong conviction. He was a faithful pastor and hard worker and was a warm and sympathising friend. Webb was a man of vision for Baptists in Australia and in many ways has been recognised as the father of Baptist work.

RONALD CARDWELL