Methodist Personalities H...

Harris, William Rev. PM

Born in Rochdale in 1833, of Primitive Methodist parentage, Mr. Harris entered the ministry in 1856, and has travelled in the following circuits, viz., Bury, Northwich (twice), Bradwell, Douglas (twice, 1859-70), Peel (thrice, 1861-89-1901), Stockport 1st. (thrice), Castletown (twice, 1865-69), Glossop, Wigan, Middleton, Bolton 1st., and Bacup. No other minister has spent so much of his active ministry in Manxland. In regard to Insular church buildings, he has been connected with the creation or enlarging of several, including Port St. Mary (old and new), Colby, Ballasalla, Onchan, Baldhoon, Laxey, and Drumgold Street School, Douglas. He has been eminently successful in enlisting new converts, and in inducing young men to become ministers or local preachers. Superannuated since 1901, Mr. Harris has continued church work with unabated activity at Port St. Mary, where he resides. IoM Examiner Annual 1912 p37;
Memorial Notice Manx Quarterly #11 p1051

Holder, George

Appointed to Douglas 1788. George Holder contributed a great deal to Manx Methodism. His wife's diary is of great interest. After-a stormy journey there was no home for them, and they were literally 'in circuit' eating and sleeping where they could. They stayed two years on their first assignment and had great success notably at Lonan. There is a letter from John Wesley telling Holder he is to go to England, and they went unwillingly, but in two years they were back. They spent another five years here, and Holder was the second chairman of the District after it was separated from Liverpool in 1805.