Archer, John Kendrick

- bn Thornton, Leicestershire, England 3 March 1865 d. Christchurch 25 July 1949. Minister, Labour Activist and Politician. Trained at Midland Baptist College, Nottingham, England. Churches: (U.K.) Queens St, Peterborough, 1891-95; Hepstonstall Slack 1895-1903; Zion, Grimsby 1903-08; (N.Z.) Napier 1908-13; Invercargill 1913-15; Vivian St 1916-17; Army Chaplain 1917-18; Sydenham 1919-32. President Union 1916-18. Secretary N.Z.B.M.S. 1912-18. N.Z. political career: Editor United Labour Leader 1913; Labour candidate Invercargill 1919, Christchurch North 1922, 1928, Kaiapoi 1931; Vice-President Labour Party 1922-25, 1927-28, 1929-31, President 1928-29; Mayor Christchurch 1925-31; Member Legislative Council 1937-49. Archer, deeply influenced by John Clifford in England, was one of the most radical Baptist leaders. His powerful Presidential address of 1918 is a classic statement of religious political activism. A vigorous, even aggressive debater, he was never long out of public controversy. He nevertheless maintained his involvement in denominational affairs throughout his career and won the respect even of conservative Baptists. Refs: N.R. Wood, ‘John Kendrick Archer: Baptist Minister - Christian Socialist’, Bulletin, No. 7, October 1970; M.P. Sutherland, ‘Pulpit or Podium? J.K. Archer and the Dilemma of Christian Politics in New Zealand’, NZJBR Vol. 1, October 1996, 26-46; DNZB Vol. 3