Joseph Welland (1834-1879) was a Reverend and missionary from Dublin, Ireland, who dedicated his life to Christian ministry in Calcutta, North India during the 19th century.[1] As a member of the Church Missionary Society, Welland served the Cathedral Mission College and Christ Church in Calcutta.[2] He also held the role of Secretary of the Calcutta Corresponding Committee, until 1876, receiving praise for his leadership and preaching.[3] As an editor and author, his works include, God in History, Heavenly Training, and Daily Bread, and Other Sermons.[1] Each text reflected his religious insights and dedication to teaching others. The Reverend's lasting legacy is commemorated by the Welland School in Kolkata, now the Welland Gouldsmith School. As it was started by Welland in 1876, it continues to carry his name and Christian principles.[4]
Personal life
Early life and family
Joseph Welland was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1834. He is the son of Joseph Welland, a renowned Irish architect from Midleton, Country Cork. His father was celebrated for designing churches and schools for the Board of First Fruits and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in Ireland.[5] Joseph had one older brother, William John Welland (1832-1895), who followed in their father's footsteps as an architect.[6]
On October 16, 1877, Jospeh Welland married his wife, Emily A. R. Torpy.[1]
Education
Joseph Welland received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College of Dublin.[1]
Mission
Early ministry
Joseph Welland was ordained a deacon in 1858 by the Bishop of Ossory and Ferns, and a year later, on October 15, 1859, he was ordained a priest by the Bishop on Manchester. He began his ministry as a curate of Killeban in Queen's County, Ireland, and later served at Trinity Church, Blackburn.[1]
Work in India
In December 1860, Welland embarked on his first mission to Calcutta, North India. Over the following years he worked in various roles, including serving the Kidderpore community in 1861. By 1866, he began his association with the Cathedral Mission College of Calcutta. This was followed by his ministry at the Christ Church of Calcutta in 1867.[1]
His dedication to the mission took him back to England on November 9, 1869, but he returned to India just two years later on October 14, 1871. It was then that he assumed the role of Secretary of Calcutta Corresponding Committee, a position he held for five years, until 1876. Illness required he return to England on April 10, 1876, amidst his time as secretary. Determined, he returned to Calcutta to resume his secretaryship on November 16, 1878, with the help of Reverend H.P. Parker.[1]
Welland passed away just a year later, on December 17, 1879, in Calcutta at the age of 45, concluding eighteen years of service to the mission.[1][7]
Legacy
Joseph Welland's contributions to the Christian mission and education in Calcutta left a lasting impact. His writings were highly regarding, with God in History (1865), a series of lectures created for his students and the Cathedral Mission College of Calcutta and Heavenly Training (1874), a collection of sermons delivered as Chaplain to the Calcutta Volunteers. After his death, his widow published a final volume of Welland's sermons, titled Daily Bread and Other Sermons in 1882. Each of these works preserves his teachings for future generations.[1]
The Welland School, founded by him in 1876, continues to bear his name as the Welland Gouldsmith School. It stands as a lasting record to his commitment to education and Christian values, carrying his legacy in Calcutta.[8]
References
