Bridge John David, BA BD
1937-2018; e.m.1957

Born on 17 June 1937 in Leigh, Lancs , the son of the Rev, Stanley K. Bridge , Superintendent of the Leeds Mission , he was the fifth generation in succession to enter the ministry. He was a pupil at Kingswood School, but with his father's early death at 49, found himself prematurely head of the family. After taking a BA in Theology at Leeds University he trained for the ministry at Hartley Victoria College, gaining a BD from Manchester University. This was followed by a year at the Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies in Geneva, which, he said, 'left a deep impression on me… by awakening an interest in European affairs and in Christian-Marxist dialogue'. In later years he paid many visits to eastern European countries and led groups on visits. He also chaired the European Committee, playing a part in setting up the European Methodist Council.

He served for nine years in the Home Mission Division, exercising his interest in apologetics and enabling Donald English to fulfil his wide-ranging preaching ministry. He was also widely known for his contributions to the Methodist Recorder as its television critic. He retired from his last circuit, Chichester and Bognor Regis, to Emsworth and finally to Berkhamstead, where he died on 14 September 2018.

Sources
  • Methodist Recorder, 23 November 2018