Notable South Australians/Rev. Frederick Searle
Rev. Frederick Searle,
CONGREGATIONALIST. Born July 24, 1848, at Tavistock, Devonshire, England; died at College Park, July 24, 1883, aged 35. Educated in Somersetshire. Even as a boy he evinced strong religious tendencies, which, matured by time, brought him to the front as an earnest and zealous minister. He arrived in Adelaide in 1864, under engagement to Messrs. G. & R. Wills & Co., wholesale drapers, and by his diligence and business-like qualifications was ultimately appointed manager of one of the most important departments by the firm. Entered the ministry in 1876, being actuated to take such a step by the belief that he could there do much good. For some time previously he was engaged in lay-preaching, but the better to qualify himself for a clerical position he went to England in April, 1876, and there became a student at New College, under Dr. Newth. Returned to South Australia in October, 1879, to take charge of the pastorate of the College Park Congregational Church, and retained this position until April, 1883, when failing health caused him to resign. Mr. Searle was an advocate for funeral reform, and his funeral, in accordance with his request, was not marked by the usual symbols of mourning. He left a wife and three children, a brother (Mr. R. Searle), and a mother (Mrs. Searle) well known in connection with philanthropic work in Adelaide.