Rev. Dr. Frederick William Norwood, D.D

From marketing bicycles to peacemaking seems like an unusual leap but there was nothing ordinary about this Australian who came to St. Andrew’s-Wesley just before the outbreak of World War II in 1939 and was its minister for four years. When he married May Davis in Australia in 1899, he was in the business world marketing bicycles, but soon felt called to the ministry and went off to college. Shortly after ordination after he had served as minister to two churches, he was asked to serve as a padre with the Australian Forces in France in 1917.

At the end of the war, and while he was waiting for passage back to Australia, he was asked to preach at City Temple, a world famous Congregational church in London, England. He apparently so impressed the congregation that he was called to be its minister and became well known not only throughout England but also in the United States. Every year he was invited to conduct a summer ministry at Riverside Church and Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York.

It was said of him that he was” not only amongst the greatest preachers of England, but one whose judgments on national and international questions command[ed] universal respect.”

After seventeen years, he left City Temple and became a very active member of the League of Nations, touring throughout the world preaching peace. Included in this tour was a visit to St. Andrew’s –Wesley and at the end of his work for the League, he received and accepted an invitation to come to St. Andrew’s-Wesley in 1939.

Having been a passionate advocate for peace, it must have been difficult for him to adjust to the outbreak of World War II and to see so many of the young men in the Young People’s Fellowship off to war. He had a very busy four years- two full services to a crowded church every Sunday, a mid-week prayer meeting, countless lectures to clubs and countless pastoral visits.

Of the many tributes to Dr. Norwood, this one stands out: “the full sweep of his great mind and kindly spirit were an inspiration…. In the community he was a force for righteousness”