FORSTER, Peter Lewis, Rev (1881-1963)
Assembly memorial minute 1963
Born at Big Hill, near Bendigo, on April 15th, 1881, the Rev. Peter Lewis Forster died in Melbourne on June 30th, 1963. In his earlier life he was a trained leather craftsman. Feeling the call to the ministry he offered himself for Home Mission service, during which time he prepared for matriculation. He entered Ormond College in 1911, and completed his Theological course in 1915.
His first call was to the newly established parish of Gardiner, where he had gone as an exit student; he was its first ordained minister.
His subsequent ministry was exercised at Box Hill, where he was inducted on September 2nd, 1920; Ivanhoe, where his induction was on November 4th, 1925; and South Yarra, where he was inducted on September 30th, 1938. He resigned at the end of 1946. In all his parishes he was engaged in building operations, but was not only a builder in brick or stone; he was a devoted minister concerned with the upbuilding of his people in their faith.
He made an important contribution to the social services of the Church, because of his concern for the Church’s ministry to the needy in the community. His name will always be remembered as the founder of the Presbyterian Babies’ Home. He was concerned also with the Home Mission and Foreign Mission enterprises of the Church, and took his full share of responsibility in both Assembly and Presbytery. Possessing a keen sense of justice, he often proved himself a controversial figure in Assembly debates.
In his later years he had been living in retirement at Sassafras.
The Assembly give thanks to God for his life of sincere faith and deep conviction, and convey to his widow, his two sisters and his brother their sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male