Full NameBATES, Very Rev Dr John McLellan (Jack), M.A.,LL.D. (Otago)Biography
born 8 July 1903 Thames
son of John BATES and Margaret Ramsay KEARNEY
married 24 October 1930 Jean Blackie ALLAN, born 24 February 1906, died 4 September 1981
died 31 August 1981 Tauranga
Educated at Auckland Grammar School, then to Otago University to study for his Master of Arts.
His first choice was to study for medicine, but this gave place to ministry. At university he was Assistant in Philosophy 1928. He was a real scholar, and later his books explaining theology in plain terms to those without a theological background were found excellent and were in great demand.
He married Jean Allan of East Taieri; she died the day after Jack’s funeral.
Ross Fellow and Assistant Master of Knox College, Dunedin 1928
Theological Hall, Dunedin 1929-1930
Ordained Takapau, Hawkes Bay Presbytery 7 November 1930 — resigned 28 February 1933
Acting Head, Department of Philosophy, Otago University 1933
Study (under Emil Brunner) Zurich Switzerland September 1934 to June 1935.
Kurow, North Otago 12 December 1935
Rangiora, Christchurch 6 June 1940
Karori, Wellington 24 february 1944 — resigned 1 November 1951
Warden Arana Hall Dunedin 1 February 1952 to 4 February 1958
St Clair, Dunedin 4 February 1958 — retired 1 August 1968
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand 1965
Awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws by Otago University 1969
Convenor Life & Work Committee; 1948 Doctrine Committee set up with Jack as its first Convenor; Author of ‘Manual of Doctrine’; he started “New Zealand Journal of Theology” to help Jim Steele in his convalescence (see Steele). Jack was joint editor with Steele, being published from 1931-1935; Jack’s father was the printer (at reduced rates - often reduced to fit income, I suspect).
Jack was one of the most able and best loved scholars of that period. His influence was profound.
Rev. Dr J.M. Bates (right) in the manse garden at East Taieri Presbyterian Church during moderatorial visit, 1969.
P-A18.31-88