Presbyterian Research Centre
The Archive and Library for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Menu
Bates, Jack
Full NameBATES, Very Rev Dr John McLellan (Jack), M.A.,LL.D. (Otago)
Biography
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
Study (under Emil Brunner) Zurich Switzerland September 1934 to June 1935.
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.
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
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
- St Clair, Dunedin 4 February 1958 — retired 1 August 1968
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.
P-A18.31-88
Relates to
Recollect CollectionPeople
loading google map....
Bates, Jack. Presbyterian Research Centre, accessed 31/08/2026, https://pcanzarchives.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/112689
