John Henry Jowett

John Henry Jowett CH (25 August 1863 – 19 December 1923) was an influential British Protestant minister and preacher at the turn of the nineteenth to the twentieth century, who wrote books on topics related to Christian living. Warren W. Wiersbe called him "The greatest preacher in the English-speaking world."

Early life

Jowett was born 25 August 1863 at Beaumont Town, Northowram near Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, one of six children born to Josiah Jowett and Hannah Marshall, who attended the congregational church in Halifax. Jowett's father was a master tailor and draper. His great-aunt through his mother was the notable English soprano singer Susan Sunderland.

Career and influence

Jowett was educated at Hipperholme Grammar School. He was influenced by the congregationalist Reverend Enoch Mellor (incumbent at Square Chapel, Halifax, between 1867 and 1881), and determined to become a preacher. He later studied at Airedale College, Bradford, followed by the University of Edinburgh and Mansfield College, Oxford. He subsequently served at St James' Congregational Church in Newcastle upon Tyne, followed by Carr's Lane Congregational Church in Birmingham, where he succeeded R. W. Dale, advocate of the Civic Gospel.

Jowett understood the problems faced by workers and while the pastor at Carr's Lane Congregational Church in Birmingham, England, founded the Digbeth Institute, now an arts center. At this period he was elected chairman of the Congregational Union and president of the National Council of Evangelical Free Churches.