Evangelist David Lawrence, 1895-1963

History of Appanoose County, Iowa

[Dallas, TX: Taylor Publishing Company, 1986]

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  Evangelist David Lawrence was born July 22, 1895, in Treherbet, South Wales, the son of David John and Gwendolyn Griffiths Lawrence. He was one of our children -- two sisters, Margaret Lawrence and Elizabeth Ann Rees, and a brother, Dr. Tom Lawrence.

  He was married to Frances Edna Norris on February 17, 1929, at Numa, Ia.

  During World War I, he served in the Royal Medical Corps with the British Army. For ten years following the war, he served with a group of Christian Evangelists known as The Pilgrim Preachers, who toured the British Isles.

  Mr. Lawrence came to the United States in 1927, then returned to Wales in 1928, then came back to the states in 1929, the year he was married to Miss Norris.

  Mr. Lawrence said two of the most memorable moments in his life was when he was converted to God in 1914, in Wales, and when he became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1933 in Appanoose County, Iowa. He was always proud and happy to be a citizen of the United States.

  During World War II, he worked in Christian canteens for service men in various cities of the United States. From 1947 through 1950, he led a group of young Christian men known as "Gospel Messengers on Tour." He had been a minister for 49 years, and during that time served the Gospel Chapel in Centerville, Iowa, until his death.

  He had been in charge of a radio program, "Gospel Tidings" over radio station KCOG since its inception in 1949.

  David Lawrence died August 3, 1963, and was buried in Jerome, Iowa, cemetery.