John Chambers was born at Bradshaw [2nd August 1774], the oldest of eight children. He was a nephew of Luke Shaw.
He preached his first sermon at the age of 25. He subsequently preached regularly in the Methodist chapels all around the area, including Salem Chapel, Halifax, Brighouse, Huddersfield, Leeds, Otley and Todmorden, often walking there and back.
In 1784, he founded the Sunday School at Mount Zion, Ogden.
He was a weaver by trade, employed by Jonathan Akroyd.
In 1814, he married Mary Bancroft [1782-1847].
Children:
In 1817, the family moved to the Chapel House next to Mount Zion Chapel, Ogden. For 16 years, he officiated there as minister, sexton and chapel keeper. In later years he lived at Moor Top, Illingworth.
He gave up preaching in 1855, after he had collapsed on his way to preach in Elland.
He died on 18th April 1858 [aged 83] after a lingering illness of four years.
His death notice in the Halifax Guardian reads
He has been a local preacher in the Methodist New Connexion Halifax circuit for 59 years and never neglected a single appointment
Members of the family were buried at Mount Zion Methodist Chapel, Ogden and there is a table tomb.
The epitaph records that
[John] was one of the founders of the Sabbath School at Mount Zion in 1784.He was for 68 years a member of the Church, 60 years a class Leader and 59 years a local Preacher on the same plan.
He interred above 1000 persons, preached not less than 8000 sermons, and travelled on foot upwards of 10,000 miles in visiting the sick and preaching the Gospel.
He also baptised upwards of 6000 children
Page Ref: X298
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