OBITUARY Rev. D. Gardner Miller

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 18

OBITUARY Rev. D. Gardner Miller

The Rev. David Gardner Miller, who became well known in Christchurch for his ministry at the former Trinity Congregrational Church in Manchester Street and later for his work in establishing what is now the Methodist Central Mission, died In Christchurch recently. He was 82. Mr Gardner Miller was born in Scotland and came to New Zealand from the slums of Birmingham. In Christchurch he worked among under-privileged persons during the depression of the 1930 s before being appointed minister of the Trinity Congregational Church where he served for 13 years. In 1939 he resigned from his position as minister of the church because of a disagreement which arose with his proposal to start a theatre service. Soon afterwards he opened the Central City Mission at the former Crystal Palace. His services there were well attended and music was provided by a 20-piece orchestra. Failing health and the effects of World War 11, however, forced him to give up this work and on August 23, 1950, the mission was taken over by the Methodist Church. Five years later it was moved to its present site in Cambridge Terrace. Mr Gardner Miller, who was known as a public speaker and writer, contributed articles and book reviews to “The Press.” He also conducted a regular radio pro-

gramme under the name of Uncle David.

He was an uncle of another former minister of the Trinity Congregational Church, the Rev. D. J. Inglis, who is now vice.principal of the Malua Theological College in Western Samoa. Mr Gardner Miller is surVived by his daughter.