Revd.Dr. Philip Morgan
22-06-1930 - 17-10-2005
In 1967 when Philip Morgan became General Secretary of Churches of Christ in Britain and Northern Ireland he and his wife Greta, and their children Ghislaine and Jonathan, moved to live in Birmingham. Philip and Greta became members of Moseley Road Church of Christ and later Ghislaine and Jonathan were baptised there.
Philip was one of the ministers who, whilst meeting in the home of Millicent Faraday - then a St. Paul's Church Warden, received a growing belief that St. Paul's congregation, the Church of Christ congregation and Moseley Road Methodist Church should come together as a Christian community serving Balsall Heath. During the second half of the 1970s when Moseley Road Church of Christ did not have a stipendiary minister Philip became congregational leader, along with his other duties. Philip and Rev. John Cooper especially worked to bring about, in October 1980, the Community and Building we know as Balsall Heath Church Centre. When, at the end of August 1980, members of the Sparkhill Church of Christ believed they should join the Church Centre Church of Christ, Philip enabled the two congregations to meet together, and then to become one.
Truly Philip Morgan was a man of vision - especially in relation to the unity of people. Whilst the Church Centre was coming into being he was working to lead Churches of Christ to become part of the United Reformed Church, which happened in 1981.
In 1980 Philip became General Secretary of the British Council of Churches and he and his family went to live in London. Whilst he worked for the British Council of Churches Philip's ministry of reconciliation was active in Eastern Europe, South Africa, Argentina and the Falkland Islands, and Northern Ireland. When the B.C.C. ceased to exist Philip returned to the pastoral ministry.
Without the work of Philip Morgan our lives may have been very different. We thank God for his leadership and for sending Philip, Greta, Ghislaine and Jonathan to live and share with us.
A service of Thanksgiving for Philip's life was held in Frognal URC, London on 2-11-2005 when six members of Balsall Heath URC were present to represent the Church Centre. The sermon preached by Dr. David Thompson is now on the URC website.
