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The Rev. W. H. Summers was born at Dorking, Surrey, on 27th June 1850. As a child it is said that he loved reading.
In 1878 he entered Hackney College as a student for the Ministry. He developed an encyclopaedic knowledge, and was a very popular man with an intense sense of understanding and compassion for all he met in his Ministry. He always described the groups of young people to whom he ministered as "My Boys".
He wrote many books, including "The Rise and Spread of Christianity in Europe", "Our Lollard Ancestors" and "History of Congregational Churches in Berks, Bucks and South Oxon".
In August 1901 he came to Hungerford as Pastor of the Congregational Church in the High Street.
He showed a keen interest in everything of archaeological and historical value in the district. He catalogued the Town Chest, made transcriptions of copious extracts from old Charters and other original documents.
From this he developed the idea of writing a detailed history of Hungerford, a task that he pursued right up to his death on Monday 30 Apr 1906. His book, "The Story of Hungerford in Berkshire" was eventually finished by Harold Peake of Newbury and published in 1926. It is the second major history of the town, following that by Walter Money, published in 1894.
Photo Gallery:
Rev W H Summers, c1905
Memorial to Rev W H Summers following his death on 30 Apr 1906.
Rev W H Summers with "My Boys", c1905
- Rev. W. H. Summers.
- Rev. W. H. Summers with "My Boys", c.1905.
- Memorial to Rev. W. H. Summers following his death on 30th April 1906.
The Canal Wharf, 2011