A service was held on 26 September in Reading to remember Maurice Rowlandson, a key figure in the UK evangelical church.
Maurice was serving as Extensions Secretary at the Evangelical Alliance when he was appointed to the team running Dr Billy Graham’s first crusade in England, in 1954. It was the biggest evangelism venture ever; more than a million people attended events spanning three months.
Billy Graham crusade organiser
Seven years later, Maurice became Director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association UK, and he held this position until 1987.
From 1979 until 1992, Maurice was General Secretary of the Keswick Convention and later wrote a book about the experience.
He loved sailing and founded the Venturers Norfolk Broads Cruise, a week-long Christian sailing camp for young people. He also organised a conference for young people called SPREE 73 in the 1970s, which drew 10,000 attendees from across the UK.
He once contested a Parliamentary seat for the Liberal Party, in 1959, and was a magistrate for 27 years. Maurice was even an associate member of the Inner Magic Circle, and conjuring was one of his great loves.
Maurice leaves his wife Marilyn and two children, Julian and Jacky, as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A webpage has been set up for those who may wish to give towards Maurice’s chosen charities: www.memorygiving.com/maurice rowlandson
