Revrd. William Pennefather, BA, vicar. Born Dublin, the youngest son in a well-established family. Came to England c.1848. He and his wife Catherine were transferred to St. Jude's Church, Mildmay Park in 1864.
From St Jude's: "William Pennyfather was appointed vicar of St Jude’s in 1864. In his nine years he seems to have been a man of great energy. His response to the cholera epidemic of 1866 was to found a medical mission in Bethnal Green. He also founded a Deaconess Institution offering full-time careers for mission to young women. These initiatives eventually became the Mildmay Mission Hospital well-known for its pioneering rehabilitation work with AIDS victims. The Mildmay Conference Hall {demolished 1940s} on Mildmay Park was built in 1869 capable of seating some 3000 people; it was used for educational and evangelistic meeting. It was finally demolished in the 1940’s. ... There is also a memorial to him in the church. He died in 1873 but his hymn “Jesus stand among us in thy risen power” lives on."
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them