Cornford, Rev Philip Henry

- bn Mardon, Kent 15 January 1818 d. Napier 30 August 1901. Missionary, Jamaica, 1841-1852. Pastor. Trained at Newport Pagnall, Bucks. Churches: (U.K.) Ramsay, Hants; Earl St Blackfriars, London; Liston, Bedfordshire; (N.Z.) Wellesley St 1862-?; (Aust.) Bathurst St, Sydney; (N.Z.) Napier 1887-?; Auckland Tabernacle 1891. President Union 1886/7. Cornford arrived in Jamaica shortly after emancipation, where he ministered in Rio Bueno and Montego Bay; and married Anna Overbury Anstie, a teacher, in 1842. After pastorates in England Cornford came to N.Z. in search of a warmer climate, arriving in 1861 and pastoring in New Zealand and Australia until 1881, when he retired to Napier. Here he was instrumental in establishing the Napier church, and was the founding Pastor. In 1891 he had a brief period of oversight at the Auckland Tabernacle after dissension between the church and the pastor led to Birch�s resignation. Cornford was known for his deep spirituality and fervent passion in preaching. Ref.: Obituary: NZB October 1901, 146.