Douglas A. Wollen (1909-1998; e.m. 1939) was born on 22 June 1909 at Woodford. He began work as an uncertified teacher and worked for external degrees in ancient and medieval history and an MA in education, and gained a teaching diploma at Westminster College. From 1933 to 1937 he taught at Wanstead High School. As a lay officer in the Temperance and Social Welfare section of the Christian Citizenship Department he came under the influence of Henry Carter and was led to candidate for the ministry.

A committed Christian Socialist and pacifist, he was a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and an active supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. He collaborated with E.C. Urwin on an anthology of John Wesley's social teaching, John Wesley, Christian Citizen (1937). He was art critic for the Times and the Methodist Recorder and a founder member of the Society of Christian Artists. A friend of Dr. John Gibbs since his ministry in Penarth in the 1950s, he was involved in creating the Methodist Church Collection of Modern Art. In his retirement he was closely involved with the Museum of Methodism at Wesley's Chapel. He died at Harrogate on 15 November 1998.

His brother Leslie Macauley Wollen (1911-1991; e.m. 1933) was born at Woodford on 10 January 1911. He left the Midland Bank to enter the ministry, trained at Wesley House, Cambridge and was awarded a Finch Scholarship which enabled him to study at Heidelberg and to engage in an archaeological dig in Jerusalem. As Chairman of the Bristol District 1963-1975 he was chairman of the Community Relations Council. His pacifism found expression through his support for the United Nations and Christian Aid. His interests included a love of music, walking and the countryside. He died at Pillowell in the Forest of Dean on 10 March 1991.

Category: Person
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