Samuel Evans Rowe
Encyclopedia
The Reverend Samuel Evans Rowe (September 1, 1834 – July 4, 1897) was a minister who reached high rank in the Methodist church before a distinguished period as a missionary
in South Africa
, holding senior posts in the church, and founding an educational institution for girls.
, Somerset, England, on 1 September 1834 . He was one of six children. His father was a Methodist minister, the Reverend Samuel Rowe, and his mother was Mary Ann Evans.
He attended school at Woodhouse Grove in Yorkshire
. He spent a few years in business and also teaching, before beginning to preach.
He spent three years in Cornwall
and then moved to Exeter
.
He entered the Wesleyan ministry and preached in several towns in England. He served on the London Circuit before going to South Africa
as a missionary
. He was appointed to Pietermaritzburg
, where he worked for twelve years. He founded the educational Institution for Native Girls and was also Chairman of the Maritzburg Girls’ Collegiate School.
In 1890, he was elected President of the Methodist Conference in Cape Town
. In 1895 he was appointed to the Harrismith
Circuit. In 1896 he was invited to be the Superintendent of the Cape Town
Circuit , but declined this on heath grounds, and requested a year’s home leave in England.
On his return to South Africa
a year later, he died of a brain haemorrhage as his ship, the Tantallon Castle, was docking at Port Elizabeth. He is buried there at the South End Cemetery.
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, holding senior posts in the church, and founding an educational institution for girls.
Early life
He was born in Midsomer NortonMidsomer Norton
Midsomer Norton is a town near the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England, south-west of Bath, north-east of Wells, north-west of Frome, and south-east of Bristol. It has a population of 10,458. Along with Radstock and Westfield it used to be part of the conurbation and large civil parish of Norton...
, Somerset, England, on 1 September 1834 . He was one of six children. His father was a Methodist minister, the Reverend Samuel Rowe, and his mother was Mary Ann Evans.
He attended school at Woodhouse Grove in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. He spent a few years in business and also teaching, before beginning to preach.
Career
In 1857 he was accepted as a Candidate for the Ministry, and entered Didsbury College, but had to leave almost immediately to take his first appointment.He spent three years in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
and then moved to Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
.
He entered the Wesleyan ministry and preached in several towns in England. He served on the London Circuit before going to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
as a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
. He was appointed to Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
, where he worked for twelve years. He founded the educational Institution for Native Girls and was also Chairman of the Maritzburg Girls’ Collegiate School.
In 1890, he was elected President of the Methodist Conference in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. In 1895 he was appointed to the Harrismith
Harrismith
Harrismith, named after Sir Harry Smith, is a large town in the Free State province of South Africa, situated on the N3 highway approximately midway between Johannesburg, about 300 km north-east, and Durban. The town is at the junction with the N5 highway, which continues west towards the...
Circuit. In 1896 he was invited to be the Superintendent of the Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
Circuit , but declined this on heath grounds, and requested a year’s home leave in England.
On his return to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
a year later, he died of a brain haemorrhage as his ship, the Tantallon Castle, was docking at Port Elizabeth. He is buried there at the South End Cemetery.