STRACHAN, William, Rev. (1848-1919)
Assembly memorial minute 1919
The Rev. William Strachan, who died on 27th July 1919, was born at Carnoustie, Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1848, and studied at Aberdeen University and in Edinburgh. As a Licentiate of the then Free Church, he was appointed successively as assistant to the Rev. John Ingram, of the Unst Free Church, in the Shetland Islands; as assistant to the Rev. Dr. Black, of Inverness, where there was a Bible class with 800 members; and as assistant to Rev. Dr.Stewart, at Leghorn, Italy. The death of a brother compelled him to return to Scotland, and closed a promising career of service.
In 1879 the congregation of Creebridge Free Church, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, called him to become their minister. After six years’ faithful ministry, health reasons led him to resign his charge, and sail for Victoria.
He was inducted into the Rupanyup charge, which then included Murtoa, Minyip, Bangena, and Marnoo, in November, 1886. The district was a very wide one. For twelve years he faithfully served his Church in this scattered area, taking his full share of the Presbyterial work, commending himself by his kindliness and diligence, and being ably supported in all his work by his wife.
He then retired to Melbourne, and at the request of the Home Mission Committee undertook the care of the young charge at Box Hill, and successfully fostered it until the Rev. J.C. Coutie became its minister. His closing years were spent in Canterbury, where he evinced great interest in the welfare of the congregation. On the evening of Sunday, 27th July, as he entered his accustomed pew, he passed peacefully and swiftly to the Church Triumphant. It was in some ways an ideal death.
Mr. Strachan was an earnest evangelical preacher of the Gospel, a faithful minister, much esteemed by those who knew him, and remembered by many for his kindliness and helpfulness as a friend.
The Assembly expresses its deep sympathy with Mrs. Strachan and her sons and daughter, and prays that the God of all comfort and consolation may sustain and strengthen them in their great sorrow.
Gender
- Male