MITCHELL, Donovan Frederick, Rev, M.A. B.D. (1890-1954)
Assembly memorial minute 1954
Mr. Mitchell was born in Erith, Kent, England, on 22nd September, 1890. He migrated
to Australia in 1911 and, subsequently, entered the Baptist College of New South Wales and was ordained in 1918, at Hornsby, in that State, where, also, within the Baptist ministry, he served in the parishes of Lismore and Bankstown. Before leaving New South Wales he graduated Bachelor of Arts at Sydney University (receiving the Lithgow Scholarship) and in 1940 took the Sydney Master of Arts degree with first class honours.
Afterwards he laboured in the Baptist Church in Hobart, Tasmania; in the Flinders Street Church, Adelaide, South Australia, and at Armadale, Victoria. During the latter pastorate, he gained the Bachelor of Divinity degree of Melbourne College of Divinity.
He was a lecturer at Parkin College, Adelaide, and at the Baptist College, Melbourne.
In 1939 Mr. Mitchell was admitted to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church and was called to Daylesford in 1940, translated to Parkville in 1941, to Surrey Hills in 1945, and to his final charge, Hartwell, in 1950. Following the sudden death of Professor J.D. Macnicol, Mr. Mitchell lectured for a time in Ormond College.
Mr. Mitchell was a profound scholar and thinker, a close and thorough student, combining close attention to detail with a clear grasp of fundamental principles. As Convener of the College Committee of the General Assembly of Australia, from September, 1951, until the time of his death, he gave clear and decided guidance during the critical period of reconstruction of the Course of Training. He made lasting contributions to the work of Theological Education in Australia.
Mr. Mitchell was a most diligent pastor and a faithful and earnest expounder of the Word, giving, in utmost devotion, of his conspicuous ability. The well-being of his congregation possessed his mind and soul and dictated all his actions. As a consecrated servant he sought to live in divine fellowship, lest his capacity to serve might be spoilt. The redeeming Cross of his Lord was the centre of his preaching, as it was the inspiring power of his personal life and work.
Donovan Mitchell was a brotherly and gracious man, whose high sense of duty and unfailing moral courage led him to give, ungrudgingly and unselfishly, of his great gifts and ability in the courts and committees of the Church. His sensitive spirit and keen mind enabled him with unusual vividness to see and feel the Church’s responsibility to share the sufferings of her Lord in ministrations to the unfortunate, the unwanted, the despairing and the sick, and to such fellow-beings he gave himself in all the strength of his faith and the richness of his soul.
Mr. Mitchell died suddenly at his Manse on Monday, 31st May, 1954. To Mrs. Mitchell, her son and two daughters, the Assembly tender their sincere sympathy.
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- Male