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McNeur, George Hunter
Full NameMcNEUR, George Hunter
Date of Birth24 December 1871Date of Death27 April 1953Biography
George McNeur spent his youth at Wairuna then had periods of training at Belair Mission Training Institute at Adelaide, Bible Training Institute Glasgow, and Theological Hall Dunedin. Accepted by Otago Synod as Missionary 1899.
Theological Hall Dunedin 1900-1901
Ordained by Synod of Otago and Southland as first missionary to Canton Villages, 31 October 1901.
Spent some time with the Rev Alexander Don, missionary to the NZ Chinese, prior to his departure which included visiting the Chinese as well as some Cantonese language preparation and study.
Arrived China 19 December 1901 and began a work that has been “truly apostolic”.
Kong Chuen, Canton, Evangelistic and Educational work from 1901.
Retired from Overseas Missions 31 December 1940.
In 1911 he began teaching in Fatei Theological College Canton, and from then on that has been no inconsiderable part of his work besides the usual preaching, pastoral and administrative work of the Mission. He has been a member and chairman of important committees in connection with Chinese Mission work.
In 1920 he was threatened with the loss of his eyesight. Rev McNeur taught for 25 years at the Union Theological College, Canton.
Retiring to Dunedin and after the death of Rev AL Miller, he was asked to accept an appointment with the Chinese Church in Dunedin, working together with Mrs EE Miller. His knowledge of Chinese and of the Cantonese language was of great assistance.
Degree of Doctor of Divinity conferred on him by the University of Aberdeen in 1948.
Retired from Dunedin Chinese Church after appointment of the Rev YT Fong 31.1.1951
In 1903 he married Margaret Sinclair, of Milton, who was working in the Mission, and they were married in Canton. She was a public-school teacher who was one of the first three students at the Presbyterian Women’s Training Institute in 1903 when it was taken over by the Presbyterian Church. Their only daughter, Jean, was a missionary at Canton until she married Dr S.H. Moore, Medical Superintendent of the English Methodist Mission Hospital at Shiuchow, China.
‘An outstanding personality who gave outstanding service.’
Moderator of General Assembly 1926
Date of Birth24 December 1871Date of Death27 April 1953Biography- born 24 December 1871 Inchclutha (Clutha District)
- son of James McNEUR and Margaret HUNTER (married 1872)
- brother of Alexander, Archibald, David, William and Mary
- married 12 November 1903 (Canton) Margaret SINCLAIR, born 1 October 1869, died 25 March 1957
- child Margaret Jean McNEUR (SH Moore) 1907-1992
- died 27 April 1953 Dunedin after a period of ill health.
George McNeur spent his youth at Wairuna then had periods of training at Belair Mission Training Institute at Adelaide, Bible Training Institute Glasgow, and Theological Hall Dunedin. Accepted by Otago Synod as Missionary 1899.
Theological Hall Dunedin 1900-1901
Ordained by Synod of Otago and Southland as first missionary to Canton Villages, 31 October 1901.
Spent some time with the Rev Alexander Don, missionary to the NZ Chinese, prior to his departure which included visiting the Chinese as well as some Cantonese language preparation and study.
Arrived China 19 December 1901 and began a work that has been “truly apostolic”.
Kong Chuen, Canton, Evangelistic and Educational work from 1901.
Retired from Overseas Missions 31 December 1940.
In 1911 he began teaching in Fatei Theological College Canton, and from then on that has been no inconsiderable part of his work besides the usual preaching, pastoral and administrative work of the Mission. He has been a member and chairman of important committees in connection with Chinese Mission work.
In 1920 he was threatened with the loss of his eyesight. Rev McNeur taught for 25 years at the Union Theological College, Canton.
Retiring to Dunedin and after the death of Rev AL Miller, he was asked to accept an appointment with the Chinese Church in Dunedin, working together with Mrs EE Miller. His knowledge of Chinese and of the Cantonese language was of great assistance.
Degree of Doctor of Divinity conferred on him by the University of Aberdeen in 1948.
Retired from Dunedin Chinese Church after appointment of the Rev YT Fong 31.1.1951
In 1903 he married Margaret Sinclair, of Milton, who was working in the Mission, and they were married in Canton. She was a public-school teacher who was one of the first three students at the Presbyterian Women’s Training Institute in 1903 when it was taken over by the Presbyterian Church. Their only daughter, Jean, was a missionary at Canton until she married Dr S.H. Moore, Medical Superintendent of the English Methodist Mission Hospital at Shiuchow, China.
‘An outstanding personality who gave outstanding service.’
Moderator of General Assembly 1926
P-A30.29-86
Relates to
McNeur, George Hunter. Presbyterian Research Centre, accessed 19/07/2026, https://pcanzarchives.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/112524
