Joseph Parker (1830-1902)

Joseph Parker was an English Congregational minister of the 19th century.

Aged 14 he was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a stonemason. He soon tired of it and went back to school. He managed to pick up a fair education which afterwards he constantly supplemented.

From the age of 14 he participated in local debates and boys’ meetings. Aged 18 he preached his first sermon on the village green and was enrolled as a lay preacher in the Methodist circuit. The family returned to the Congregational church and Joseph felt he was called into the Christian ministry.

Joseph wrote to Dr. John Campbell of Whitefield’s Tabernacle, Moorfields for guidance. He was invited to preach at his church for 3 Sundays. He left such an impression that Joseph became his assistant minister.

9 months later he accepted a call to the Congregational church in Banbury. he was ordained minister on 8th November 1853. His original congregation of 50 soon became so large a new church was built. He initiated open-air services on the cricket ground during the rebuild which causing consternation and some physical danger to himself.

On 10 June 1858 he became the minister at the prestigious Cavendish Street Congregational church. By 1863 there were 1000 members including many wealthy leaders of commerce and industry. 1,700 seats were full for the Sunday services.

On 19th September 1869 he became the minister at the oldest nonconformist church in London, Poultry Chapel, Cheapside. Under Joseph’s guidance it was soon flourishing. For the third time a new building was built -CIty Temple in Holborn Viaduct It became the most powerful centre of nonconformist influence in the city and beyond. His stimulating and original sermons, delivered with a ready command of vigorous English, made him one of the best known personalities of his time He was there until his death in 1902. For over 30 years he was minister of City Temple.

Joseph was a prolific writer and published more than 60 books.

Most of his sermons were extemporary which enticed him to make unexplained outbursts that both astonished and attracted hie congregations. His sonorous voice, with its surprising modulations, as well as his dramatic delivery, his humour, his use of dialect and his freshness combined to make his oratory unique in the London of his day. His transcriber commented that he was at his best when he strayed furthest from his loose outline

*Joseph’s chief legacy is not his theology but his gift of oratory.

Charles Spurgeon praised his originality. Dr. Parker’s track is his own and the jewels he lets fall in his progress are from his own casket.
Alexander Whyte He is by far the ablest man now standing in the English speaking pulpit *
Margaret Bywater * the most outstanding preacher of his time
Angus Watson no one had ever spoken like him

The person who wrote the source Introducing: Joseph Parker said Parker was a communicator of genius.
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