FRASER, Christopher Alexander, Rev (1864-1949)
Assembly memorial minute, 1950
Christopher Alexander Fraser was born on 15th November, 1864, at Bendigo, where his father, a devoted elder at St. Andrew’s Church, was engaged in business as a baker. His father, Lachlan Fraser, inspired his family with Christian example and depth and sincerity of faith. Two of this family entered the Presbyterian ministry and a daughter became the mother of one of our present ministers.
Christopher Fraser was educated at Gravel Hill State School, Bendigo. On leaving school he was apprenticed to a printer in his home city. Thereafter he became a lithographic printer in Melbourne. Very early in life he entertained hopes of entering the ministry, and to this end studied in his spare time. He commenced a full-time study, but severe illness soon intervened. Upon medical advice he returned to his trade. However, later, in 1890, he tried again a life of study, and accepted a Home Mission appointment to Port Campbell, where he ministered until October of 1892. He entered the Theological Hall in 1894, to complete exit year in 1897. He served as Home Missionary at Mirboo North and was assistant to the minister at Beaufort. His first charge was Windermere, where he was ordained and inducted on 20th April, 1899. He was transferred to Mooroopna in 1902, to Maffra in 1910, to Portarlington in 1918, to Tylden in 1923, and to Kilmore in 1925, whence he retired on 16th August, 1929. He was given a seat as minister emeritus in the Presbytery of Melbourne West.
For the next few years he undertook supply and deputation work for the Home Mission Committee, notably at Woodville and Port Adelaide in South Australia, and at St. John’s, Hobart. It is thought that during these years of retirement Mr. Fraser did some of his best work, bringing ripe experience of former years. In 1939, illness brought to an end this active work, and most of those last ten years were spent in bed. Thus he was not permitted to enjoy the latter years of a long retirement of twenty years.
Mr. Fraser was associated with the compilation of histories of the Presbyterian Church at Maffra and Kilmany. In another small publication he tells of experiences in the Heytesbury Forest, when he was Home Missionary at Port Campbell.
It is doubtful whether Mr. Fraser spoke once “on the floor of the house. ” He was ever zealous to give of his best in earnest evangelical preaching and in consistent pastoral work. Where he ministered, he readily won a way to the hearts of members of his congregation. He could be spoken of as “a millionaire in memberships. ” He excelled in ministering to the sick and aged, and uncounted souls were won for Christ in this way. He possessed that “royal” gift of never forgetting a name or a face.
He died on Monday, 9th May, 1949, in his 85th year. To his son and daughter the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male