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Alfred David Cope
Alfred David Cope was born the son of a Congregationalist Minister. He became a Methodist minister in 1857 and continued in that calling for 77 years. He lived to the ripe old age of 101 years and died in 1935.
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Southern Daily Echo 8th June 1934
Southern Daily Echo 8th June 1934
ONE HUNDRED TODAY Oldest Wesleyan Minister Looks Back "I BLESS THE DAY THAT I WAS BORN" When he was a young man just starting his ministry the Rev Alfred David Cope's health was precarious. Today he celebrated his hundredth birthday in the peace of his pleasant home at Regent's Park-road, Southampton. His sense of humour has been a saving element in his nature and in the evening of his days he sits in a cushion filled armchair feasting his eyes on the beauty of the garden and reading the book that has been his guide on his long life's journey.
"Though in the flesh I feel the thorn
I bless the day that I was born." HAPPY MAN "I am a happy man" declared the Father of the Methodist Conference and the oldest Wesleyan Minister. I knew that directly I entered the room. I have met many centenarians but never one who looked happier. On his mother's side Mr Cope is of huguenot descent. Her father was a well known publisher in Paternoster-row, and a friend of the famous Adam Clark. He was buried in the graveyard of Wesley's Chapel, City-road. Mr Cope was born in Sleaford Lincolnshire, the son of a severe Calvinist. "I decided I could never be a Calvinist," he related, "and so I became an apprentice to a firm of watchmakers. But I did not like the work. It was too fiddling. "One day when I was out walking I was handed a note from my father. He called on me to make an important decision. I read his note, threw down the stick I was carrying and cried out: 'I will give myself to the Lord!' That was how I was converted." MANY CONVERTS "I became a Wesleyan minister because I decided that an independent minister was dependent on his congregation. I was granted many converts in those wonderful days and I tried to serve God to the best of my ability." Then just for a moment or two the old minister looked a trifle sad. "Sometimes," he said, "I think I was too worldly." It was one of his two great-nieces, who care for him with touching devotion, who told me that in the early days of his ministry which started in 1857 he had to fight against ill-health. "Uncle was a very sick man, I believe," one of them told me, "but he went on with his work and grew strong again." Many of the older generation of Sotonians will remember the eager figure who used to ride about the town on a tricycle to his preaching engagements; will remember the vigour he put into his preaching; the kindly way he dealt with man, woman and child, and will be thankful that they had the privilege of knowing such a man. STRONG PERSONALITY A man of strong personality, with an intense passion for evangelistic work, unusual success crowned his labours. Deeply human, he loved to mix with his fellows, and ardent Methodist that he is, he always cultivated the friendliest relations with other churches, being truly Catholic(sic) in his outlook. He has always been a great lover of animals and birds and had a passion for gardening when he was strong enough to get out and about. There seems to be truth in the old proverb: "The creaking gate swings longest."
ONE HUNDRED TODAY Oldest Wesleyan Minister Looks Back "I BLESS THE DAY THAT I WAS BORN" When he was a young man just starting his ministry the Rev Alfred David Cope's health was precarious. Today he celebrated his hundredth birthday in the peace of his pleasant home at Regent's Park-road, Southampton. His sense of humour has been a saving element in his nature and in the evening of his days he sits in a cushion filled armchair feasting his eyes on the beauty of the garden and reading the book that has been his guide on his long life's journey.
"Though in the flesh I feel the thorn
I bless the day that I was born." HAPPY MAN "I am a happy man" declared the Father of the Methodist Conference and the oldest Wesleyan Minister. I knew that directly I entered the room. I have met many centenarians but never one who looked happier. On his mother's side Mr Cope is of huguenot descent. Her father was a well known publisher in Paternoster-row, and a friend of the famous Adam Clark. He was buried in the graveyard of Wesley's Chapel, City-road. Mr Cope was born in Sleaford Lincolnshire, the son of a severe Calvinist. "I decided I could never be a Calvinist," he related, "and so I became an apprentice to a firm of watchmakers. But I did not like the work. It was too fiddling. "One day when I was out walking I was handed a note from my father. He called on me to make an important decision. I read his note, threw down the stick I was carrying and cried out: 'I will give myself to the Lord!' That was how I was converted." MANY CONVERTS "I became a Wesleyan minister because I decided that an independent minister was dependent on his congregation. I was granted many converts in those wonderful days and I tried to serve God to the best of my ability." Then just for a moment or two the old minister looked a trifle sad. "Sometimes," he said, "I think I was too worldly." It was one of his two great-nieces, who care for him with touching devotion, who told me that in the early days of his ministry which started in 1857 he had to fight against ill-health. "Uncle was a very sick man, I believe," one of them told me, "but he went on with his work and grew strong again." Many of the older generation of Sotonians will remember the eager figure who used to ride about the town on a tricycle to his preaching engagements; will remember the vigour he put into his preaching; the kindly way he dealt with man, woman and child, and will be thankful that they had the privilege of knowing such a man. STRONG PERSONALITY A man of strong personality, with an intense passion for evangelistic work, unusual success crowned his labours. Deeply human, he loved to mix with his fellows, and ardent Methodist that he is, he always cultivated the friendliest relations with other churches, being truly Catholic(sic) in his outlook. He has always been a great lover of animals and birds and had a passion for gardening when he was strong enough to get out and about. There seems to be truth in the old proverb: "The creaking gate swings longest."
Southern Daily Echo 16th Oct 1935
Southern Daily Echo 16th Oct 1935
OLDEST MINISTER IN METHODISM Death of the Rev. A. D. Cope. Oldest minister in Methodism, the Rev. Alfred David Cope, of Pyemont(sic) Regent's Park-road, Southampton, passed peacefully away at his home at the age of 101 years. today. Mr Cope had been in gradually failing health for sometime and the end came at 9.30 am this morning. Mr Cope was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, the son of a strict Calvinist. On his mother's side Mr Cope was of Huguenot descent. Her father was a well known publisher and a friend of Dr. Adam Clark. WORKED AS A WATCHMAKER Mr Cope spent his youth at Newmarket and his first work was as a watchmaker and jeweller. He tired of this because of the tedious nature of the work and spent a good deal of time in local preaching. This led to his entrance to the ministry. When he was a young man and just starting in the ministry his health was regarded as very precarious. Nevertheless, he managed in June this year to celebrate his 101st birthday. 77 YEARS IN WESLEYAN MINISTRY Mr Cope was the son of a Congregational Minister in Newmarket, but the son was converted in his early teens at a Wesleyan church and subsequently entered Wesleyan ministry in 1857. With 77 years to his credit in the ministry he was recently Father of the Methodist Conference. Mr Cope was a man of strong personality with an intense passion for evangelistic work, in which unusual success crowned his labours. He had a saving sense of humour and a deeply human feeling. LIKED SOUTHAMPTON Mr Cope joined the ministry in 1857, his first charge being at Hayle. He went to Liskeard and Bodmin and stayed there until 1864, when he was appointed to Guernsey. He remained there for three years and came in 1867 to Southampton, where he stayed for three years before he went to Pembroke. Other places in which he was appointed were Yarmouth, Sherborne, Luton, Bridgend, Stonehouse and Clevedon. During his stay in Southampton, he made so many friends that he resolved that when he retired in 1885 to return there and settle down. Mr Cope leaves three daughters -- Mrs Rudd of Manchester, Mrs Dingle of Dibden Purlieu, and Mrs Pope, wife of the Rev. F. J. Pope of 58 Shirley-avenue, Southampton. He was married three times and the last Mrs Cope predeceased him by seven or eight years. The funeral will take place on Monday at Hollybrook Cemetery, at 11.30 am, following a service at St James-road Methodist Church at 11 o'clock.
OLDEST MINISTER IN METHODISM Death of the Rev. A. D. Cope. Oldest minister in Methodism, the Rev. Alfred David Cope, of Pyemont(sic) Regent's Park-road, Southampton, passed peacefully away at his home at the age of 101 years. today. Mr Cope had been in gradually failing health for sometime and the end came at 9.30 am this morning. Mr Cope was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, the son of a strict Calvinist. On his mother's side Mr Cope was of Huguenot descent. Her father was a well known publisher and a friend of Dr. Adam Clark. WORKED AS A WATCHMAKER Mr Cope spent his youth at Newmarket and his first work was as a watchmaker and jeweller. He tired of this because of the tedious nature of the work and spent a good deal of time in local preaching. This led to his entrance to the ministry. When he was a young man and just starting in the ministry his health was regarded as very precarious. Nevertheless, he managed in June this year to celebrate his 101st birthday. 77 YEARS IN WESLEYAN MINISTRY Mr Cope was the son of a Congregational Minister in Newmarket, but the son was converted in his early teens at a Wesleyan church and subsequently entered Wesleyan ministry in 1857. With 77 years to his credit in the ministry he was recently Father of the Methodist Conference. Mr Cope was a man of strong personality with an intense passion for evangelistic work, in which unusual success crowned his labours. He had a saving sense of humour and a deeply human feeling. LIKED SOUTHAMPTON Mr Cope joined the ministry in 1857, his first charge being at Hayle. He went to Liskeard and Bodmin and stayed there until 1864, when he was appointed to Guernsey. He remained there for three years and came in 1867 to Southampton, where he stayed for three years before he went to Pembroke. Other places in which he was appointed were Yarmouth, Sherborne, Luton, Bridgend, Stonehouse and Clevedon. During his stay in Southampton, he made so many friends that he resolved that when he retired in 1885 to return there and settle down. Mr Cope leaves three daughters -- Mrs Rudd of Manchester, Mrs Dingle of Dibden Purlieu, and Mrs Pope, wife of the Rev. F. J. Pope of 58 Shirley-avenue, Southampton. He was married three times and the last Mrs Cope predeceased him by seven or eight years. The funeral will take place on Monday at Hollybrook Cemetery, at 11.30 am, following a service at St James-road Methodist Church at 11 o'clock.
Southern Daily Echo 21st Oct 1935
Southern Daily Echo 21st Oct 1935
DYING MINISTER'S LAST HYMN Sung at His Funeral Service TRIBUTES TO REV A. D. COPE The hymn which was on the lips of the centenarian, Methodist minister, the Rev A. D. Cope, of Pyrmont, Regent's Park-road, just before he died was sung at his funeral this morning. Beginning "O happy day that fixed my choice on Thee," the hymn typified the simple faith which animated the veteran minister throughout his long career. The funeral service was held at St James'-road Methodist Church, the minister of which, the Rev F. J. Pope, is a son-in-law of Mr Cope. Many Methodists were present at the church, and a large number of people were at Hollybrook Cemetery, where the interment took place. Ministers officiating at the service were the Rev F. J. Pope, the Rev B. A. Gregory (Swathling Central Hall), the Rev W. H. Bridge (Woolston), the Rev M. Heygarth (Bevois Town), the Rev Wilmot Eardley (Emanuel), the Rev E. R. Pullen, and the Rev J. Smaridge (Church of England). The Rev A. C. Boyce (chairman of the Portsmouth Methodist District), the Rev W. H. Cookson (Central Hall), Mr A. B. Morgan, and Mr A. D. Burrow were also present. The lesson from Revelations was read by the Rev B. A. Gregory and prayers were said by the Rev E. R. Pullen. A STRIKING TRIBUTE A striking tribute to Mr Cope was paid in an address by the Rev J. Smaridge . He described Mr Cope as a saint who had dedicated himself to the service of God. In the ministry of the Methodist Church he found his true vocation. Mr Smaridge said he had had the privilege of Mr Cope's friendship for the last ten years, and in his home he always found an atomosphere of peace and tranquillity. "The influence of those visits will remain with me to my last hour," said Mr Smaridge. "There are many here who came beneath his benign influence, and there are many ministers who have benefited by his regard and interest. All of us, and particularly the members of the Methodist Church here, have lost a generous friend." As the cortege left the church, "O Rest in the Lord" was played. The family mourners were Mrs Pope (daughter), Mr and Mrs P. E. Dingle (Son-in-law and daughter), Mrs Rudd (daughter), Miss Cowell, Mrs Jones, Mr David Pope, Mr and Mrs E Lovell Foot. Among the wreaths was one from "officers and member of the Southampton St James'-road Methodist Circuit", and another from "officers and member of the Southampton St James'-road Methodist Church".
DYING MINISTER'S LAST HYMN Sung at His Funeral Service TRIBUTES TO REV A. D. COPE The hymn which was on the lips of the centenarian, Methodist minister, the Rev A. D. Cope, of Pyrmont, Regent's Park-road, just before he died was sung at his funeral this morning. Beginning "O happy day that fixed my choice on Thee," the hymn typified the simple faith which animated the veteran minister throughout his long career. The funeral service was held at St James'-road Methodist Church, the minister of which, the Rev F. J. Pope, is a son-in-law of Mr Cope. Many Methodists were present at the church, and a large number of people were at Hollybrook Cemetery, where the interment took place. Ministers officiating at the service were the Rev F. J. Pope, the Rev B. A. Gregory (Swathling Central Hall), the Rev W. H. Bridge (Woolston), the Rev M. Heygarth (Bevois Town), the Rev Wilmot Eardley (Emanuel), the Rev E. R. Pullen, and the Rev J. Smaridge (Church of England). The Rev A. C. Boyce (chairman of the Portsmouth Methodist District), the Rev W. H. Cookson (Central Hall), Mr A. B. Morgan, and Mr A. D. Burrow were also present. The lesson from Revelations was read by the Rev B. A. Gregory and prayers were said by the Rev E. R. Pullen. A STRIKING TRIBUTE A striking tribute to Mr Cope was paid in an address by the Rev J. Smaridge . He described Mr Cope as a saint who had dedicated himself to the service of God. In the ministry of the Methodist Church he found his true vocation. Mr Smaridge said he had had the privilege of Mr Cope's friendship for the last ten years, and in his home he always found an atomosphere of peace and tranquillity. "The influence of those visits will remain with me to my last hour," said Mr Smaridge. "There are many here who came beneath his benign influence, and there are many ministers who have benefited by his regard and interest. All of us, and particularly the members of the Methodist Church here, have lost a generous friend." As the cortege left the church, "O Rest in the Lord" was played. The family mourners were Mrs Pope (daughter), Mr and Mrs P. E. Dingle (Son-in-law and daughter), Mrs Rudd (daughter), Miss Cowell, Mrs Jones, Mr David Pope, Mr and Mrs E Lovell Foot. Among the wreaths was one from "officers and member of the Southampton St James'-road Methodist Circuit", and another from "officers and member of the Southampton St James'-road Methodist Church".
Minutes for Methodist Conference of Great Britain 1935
Minutes for Methodist Conference of Great Britain 1935
Alfred D. Cope, born in 1834, and died on October 16th, 1935, in the one hundred and second year of his life, and the seventy-ninth of his ministry. His father was a Congregational minister in Newmarket, whilst his mother came from an honoured Wesleyan Methodist family in London. Early in life he made a very definite decision to follow Christ. He entered the Ministry in 1857. He spent the first seven years in Cornwall, where hundreds were converted under his ministry. This passion lived on to the end of his life, and he judged the success of his work by the harvest of souls he was able to gather into his Master's Kingdom. He had unusual gifts and an outstanding personality, with a strong sense of humour. He was an untiring and powerful exponent of the doctrine of Entire Sanctification, and lived in the constant experience of it himself. An ardent supporter of the "One by One" band, he kept to the last a list of people for whom he prayed daily, and whom, by letter and personal interview, he sought to win for Christ. The intensity of his spirit put a heavy strain on his highly organised nervous system, and in 1885 he retired. Freedom from circuit responsibilities released his boundless energies for the work he loved - visiting the sick and sad, conducting meetings, button-holing passers-by, and intercession. For about fifty years he lived in Southampton, co-operating in all kinds of good work, giving his services freely to the churches of the town, and by his triumphant faith and joyful spirit fulfilling a rich ministry amongst all sorts and conditions of people. His was a long and full life, and he retained his faculties almost to the end. A list of his appointments extracted from Minutes of Conference. 1857 Hayle Liskeard Bodmin 1864-66 Guernsey, 3 years 1867 Southampton, 3 years Pembroke Yarmouth Sherborne 1878 Supernumerary 1 year Luton address Canton, Cardiff. Bridgend 1882 Stonehouse 1884 Clevedon 1885 Supernumerary 1 year, 17 Elmsgrove Rd., Cotham, Bristol. 1886 Supernumerary, Oakvale House, Hertsridge, Blandford. 1889 Newcastle on Tyne - 48 Salters Rd, Sth Gosford, N. on Tyne 1891 Southampton - 43 Shirley-park Road, Shirley, Southampton. 1892 Southampton - Pyrmont, Regents Park, Millbrook, Southampton. (until his death in 1935.)
Alfred D. Cope, born in 1834, and died on October 16th, 1935, in the one hundred and second year of his life, and the seventy-ninth of his ministry. His father was a Congregational minister in Newmarket, whilst his mother came from an honoured Wesleyan Methodist family in London. Early in life he made a very definite decision to follow Christ. He entered the Ministry in 1857. He spent the first seven years in Cornwall, where hundreds were converted under his ministry. This passion lived on to the end of his life, and he judged the success of his work by the harvest of souls he was able to gather into his Master's Kingdom. He had unusual gifts and an outstanding personality, with a strong sense of humour. He was an untiring and powerful exponent of the doctrine of Entire Sanctification, and lived in the constant experience of it himself. An ardent supporter of the "One by One" band, he kept to the last a list of people for whom he prayed daily, and whom, by letter and personal interview, he sought to win for Christ. The intensity of his spirit put a heavy strain on his highly organised nervous system, and in 1885 he retired. Freedom from circuit responsibilities released his boundless energies for the work he loved - visiting the sick and sad, conducting meetings, button-holing passers-by, and intercession. For about fifty years he lived in Southampton, co-operating in all kinds of good work, giving his services freely to the churches of the town, and by his triumphant faith and joyful spirit fulfilling a rich ministry amongst all sorts and conditions of people. His was a long and full life, and he retained his faculties almost to the end. A list of his appointments extracted from Minutes of Conference. 1857 Hayle Liskeard Bodmin 1864-66 Guernsey, 3 years 1867 Southampton, 3 years Pembroke Yarmouth Sherborne 1878 Supernumerary 1 year Luton address Canton, Cardiff. Bridgend 1882 Stonehouse 1884 Clevedon 1885 Supernumerary 1 year, 17 Elmsgrove Rd., Cotham, Bristol. 1886 Supernumerary, Oakvale House, Hertsridge, Blandford. 1889 Newcastle on Tyne - 48 Salters Rd, Sth Gosford, N. on Tyne 1891 Southampton - 43 Shirley-park Road, Shirley, Southampton. 1892 Southampton - Pyrmont, Regents Park, Millbrook, Southampton. (until his death in 1935.)
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