Rev Henry Thomas Peach

After a strenuous life, at the age of 78 years, our brother, the Rev Henry Thomas Peach fell asleep on 31 December 1931.

He left College in 1880 and settled at Rugby, England, where he served for nearly five years, and a happy relationship was maintained with that church throughout his life.

In 1884 he was approached by the ever to be honoured C.H. Spurgeon, and without hesitation responded to the call to South Africa to take charge of the newly formed church in Pietermaritzburg. He settled down with enthusiasm to his work of pioneering and preaching the Gospel, gathering a congregation and building the church in which that assembly met. This early work had great difficulties to contend with, and eventually circumstances compelled him to start in business to support himself and his growing family.

All the time he loved to preach and never lost his hold on the things of God.

In 1909 he took pastoral charge of West Street Church, Durban, but the pastoral oversight of a Church and the care of a big business was too great a strain and he resigned in 1911. Under successive ministries he maintained his interest in all the church’s activities, and by his prayers and generous financial aid helped on the work of God.

In 1924 he served our Union as its President, his election affording evidence of the regard and esteem in which he was held by the whole denomination. He was a genuine comrade, a devoted father, an earnest Christian, and one who loved his fellow-men.

Written by: Syd Hudson-Reed