John Eyre

Background

The son of John Eyre of Bodmin, he was born there in January 1754, and baptised on 25 February. At the end of his apprenticeship he returned to his father"s business at Bodmin, and preached in the town hall.

Education

He was educated in classics by the Review John Fisher, master of Bodmin grammar school, and in mathematics by the Review Joseph Thorpe, rector of Forrabury and Trevalga, Cornwall, in his private school at Forrabury.

When fifteen years old he was apprenticed to Mr.

Oliver, a clothier of Tavistock. And soon afterwards began preaching in the town.

Career

He helped in establishing some of the major national evangelical institutions. Eyre"s father expelled him from home. On 30 May 1779 he was ordained deacon by Robert Lowth, and on 19 December 1779 he was advanced to the priesthood by Thomas Thurlow.

He was curate at Weston in 1779, to Cecil at Lewes until 1781, then at Reading, and at Chelsea, serving in both places under Cadogan until 1785.

Robert Aspland was one of his pupils, and Daniel Wilson another. The Evangelical Magazine was planned by Eyre, and he edited and contributed to its volumes until 1802.

He was one of the founders of the London Missionary Society (1794-1795), and he encouraged Edward Hanson in establishing a dissenting academy at Idle, about 1800. A scheme originated in 1796 by Eyre and others to sending out evangelical preachers into the counties south of London, and from this arose Hackney Theological College, opened in 1803.

William Jay noted how Eyre, a Calvinist in theology, was asked to preach at John Wesley"s chapel in Moorfields, and gave no offence.

After a long illness Eyre died on 28 or 29 March 1803, and was buried in a vault on the south side of the communion-table in Homerton Chapel, 5 April. His funeral sermon was preached by Rowland Hill. Eyre"s sermon at the opening of Cheshunt College was published, with related documents, in 1792.

A memoir of Eyre by George Collison appeared in the Evangelical Magazine for June and July 1803.

Achievements

• About the end of 1785 year Eyre was appointed minister of Homerton, often then called Ram"s Chapel after its founder and he opened a school at Well Street, Hackney.

Connections

Friend:

Gardens Chapel, London