Revd S L Wallace - an obituary

Rev S Leslie Wallace (Sierra Leone)

Rev S Leslie Wallace was a Methodist missionary to Sierra Leone for 39 years, including one year in the Gambia. He has been described as one of the most influential Irishmen of his generation and a hero of the World Church. Leslie was born in Belfast on 24th March 1921 and died in the Ulster Hospital on All Saints Day 2016. He was converted in Queen’s Parade Methodist Church as a teenager with several others including Agnes Thompson whom he would later marry. After training as a printer, he became a Lay Evangelist and candidated for the Methodist ministry in 1944. Following Probationary ministry in Dublin, Dungarvan and Cork City he trained in Edgehill College, Belfast and offered for overseas missions.

This quietly spoken leader strode, like a Colossus, the colonial era and the era of Independence and like everything else he took it in his stride. Adviser to Prime Ministers and Presidents, he was no palace priest. His mission was alongside the poor and like his Lord, the common people heard him gladly. In times of political emergency he joined with Faith leaders to give moral leadership and demonstrate reconciliation. A man blest with common sense, gifted with a sense of humour and graced with the compassion of Christ, he never sought wealth, he gave it away. Like his Lord he was a man for all seasons.

As Director of the Provincial Literature Bureau, he saw illiteracy as a major obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights. He promoted Bible translation and literacy campaigns. Her majesty the Queen, with whom he spoke twice when she visited Sierra Leone, awarded him the MBE and President Siaka Stephens presented him with the CR. Each privilege was seen as a pathway to service. As Secretary of Conference he steered the Methodist Church, Sierra Leone through autonomy in 1967. Twice he was elected for prolonged periods as President of the Conference. He exercised strategic ministries as Officiating Chaplain to the Forces and Chaplain to the Central Prison.

He happily returned to Sierra Leone after being wounded in a vicious attack by robbers at his home in Freetown. He was a principled reconciler in tribal divisions, in relations between Muslims and Christians and in tensions between students and the Authorities. A gifted story teller, he enjoyed telling of a befriended father who named his baby, Mohammed Wallace. In retirement he served as Secretary of the Methodist Missionary Society, Ireland. His wife, Agnes predeceased him in 2008. He is survived by his daughter, Verena.

Samuel Leslie Wallace was the “Father” of two Methodist Conferences, Sierra Leone and Ireland. Thousands today rise up to call this man “Blessed.”

Ken Todd