FORD, Harold Gordon, Rev (1884-1954)
Assembly memorial minute, 1954
Mr. Gordon Ford was born at Melbourne in 1884, and received his primary education at the Errol Street State School, North Melbourne. He served an apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer before commencing studies for the ministry.
After serving in Home Mission stations in Victoria, New South Wales, and the North of Queensland, he entered the Theological Hall, St. Andrew’s College, Sydney, and completed Exit in 1917.
He was ordained to the Holy Ministry in Sydney in 1918; was inducted into the charge of Narromine, New South Wales, in 1920; translated to Wellington, New South Wales, in 1923; to Kergunyah, Victoria, in 1928; to Kilmore in 1931, and to his final charge, Cobden, in 1944.
Twice Mr. Ford was Clerk of Presbytery, in the Presbytery of Orange, New South Wales, and for five years, in the Presbytery of Mortlake, while he was minister at Cobden. During a trip abroad in 1931 he spent several months in Palestine and visited parts of England, Scotland, and the Continent.
Throughout his ministry, Mr. Ford took a great interest in Youth activities, both within his congregations and in the community. His religious instruction to children in the State Schools was zealous and able. He had a real means of approach to young people in his ability as a tennis player. Mr. Ford was a high grade tennis player and a successful captain of football teams. He was also a competent musician and a most acceptable singer. The organs throughout his parish were ever in perfect condition, owing to his ability and care.
Mr. Ford was a faithful and able pastor, naturally winning the friendship and confidence of the members of his congregations. He was a zealous Presbyter and held keen interest in the courts of the Church. His work as clerk was marked by thoroughness and due preparedness. By his knowledge of law and procedure, he greatly expedited the work of the Presbytery. He gave unsparingly to the life and work of the Church, as was well illustrated by work in the Western Patrol, during two vacancies there, when Mr. Ford gave of his services for 14 and 11 months respectively. He was a thoughtful preacher and delivered the Word of God after much preparation.
Mr. Ford was a man of Christian courage, ever striving to maintain his ministry in congregational and presbyterial life, even as the pain of his body increased. He only laid aside his tasks when his frail body no longer obeyed his consecrated will. He had not enjoyed good health for 18 months, and, after being confined for four weeks in bed at the manse, he died on Sunday, 11th April, 1954.
The Assembly tenders sincere sympathy to Mrs. Ford and their son Gordon, and to his brother, the Rev. Dr. J.A. Munro Ford, of St. Peters, South Australia.
Gender
- Male