Robert Hawker facts for kids
Robert Hawker (1753–1827) was an important Christian leader in Devon, England. He was the pastor, or vicar, of Charles Church in Plymouth. People called him the "Star of the West" because he was a very popular speaker. He was known for his strong Christian beliefs and for writing many books. The famous Cornish poet Robert Stephen Hawker was his grandson.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert Hawker was born in Exeter in 1753. His father, Jacob Hawker, was a surgeon. At 19, Robert married Anna Reins, and they had eight children together.
Hawker first studied medicine in Plymouth. He worked as an assistant surgeon for the Royal Marines. In 1778, he decided to study at Magdalen College, Oxford to become a church leader.
Serving the Community in Plymouth
After studying, Hawker worked for a few months in Looe. Then, in 1778, he became an assistant pastor at Charles Church in Plymouth. He was officially made a priest in 1779. When the main pastor, John Bedford, passed away in 1784, Hawker took over. He served Charles Church until he died in 1827.
He was a big, strong man with bright blue eyes. He had a great sense of humor, even though he often looked serious. He was also a talented musician who played the violin well.
Writing and Books
Soon after arriving at Charles Church, Hawker started writing. He wrote many books, including collections of his sermons. He also wrote books explaining the Bible and a guide to communion. He even wrote books to help children learn to read and write for the schools he supported.
In 1792, the University of Edinburgh gave him a special degree, Doctor of Divinity. This was for a book he wrote about Jesus being God. He also created "Poor Man’s Morning and Evening Portions," which were daily readings used by many people long after he was gone.
Powerful Sermons
Robert Hawker was most famous for his sermons, which are talks given in church. Thousands of people came to hear him preach, especially when he visited London. He was called "the Doctor" and "Star of the West" because of his powerful messages.
He believed strongly in the Bible and shared God's love. People said he knew the Bible incredibly well. He could give a good sermon on any part of the Bible without much notice. It's even said that King George III admired his preaching. Hawker spoke with great energy and passion. He often spoke without notes and would even pray without notes, which was unusual for the time. His sermons were so popular that the church had to build more seating to fit everyone. He could hold large audiences for over an hour, keeping them interested until the very end.
Helping Others
Hawker wasn't just a writer and preacher. He cared deeply about his community. He regularly visited people in his church and worked hard to help those who were poor.
After long wars with France in 1817, food was hard to find. Hawker started a plan to sell loaves of bread for half price. His church members donated money to help, and he gave out 1,000 loaves. He was a bit unusual sometimes. One day, he bought a large loaf of bread and carried it himself. When the baker offered to send it, Hawker said, "No, I'm taking it to a starving family with eight children. If you give me another loaf, I'll carry that too!" The baker gave him another loaf without a word.
In 1794, he started the Misericordia Fund. This fund helped strangers who had no money or place to go. In 1809, many soldiers returned from Spain to Plymouth. Hundreds were sick with fevers. Hawker and his wife bravely visited the sick every week, even though it was dangerous.
In 1813, Dr. Hawker started the Corpus Christi Society. This group looked for Christians who were struggling and helped them, no matter where they lived or what church they belonged to.
Starting Sunday Schools
One of Hawker's earliest passions was starting a Sunday school. Sunday schools began around 1780 to help children who worked six days a week. These schools taught children to read using the Bible.
On January 21, 1787, Hawker opened the "Household of Faith" Sunday school in Plymouth. It started with twenty poor children from the streets. The school quickly became popular. They also added a "School of Industry" during the week. Soon, they needed a bigger place. In 1798, with 341 students, a permanent building was built. This was likely the second Sunday school in the country and one of the first to have its own building.
His Son, John Hawker
Of Robert Hawker's eight children, his oldest son, John Hawker, also became a church leader. He worked at the old church of Stoke Damerel nearby. Like his father, John was a strong believer in the Bible. This caused some problems with the Bishop, and John was removed from his position. However, his church members followed him and built him a new church called St. Peter's.
One of Robert Hawker's grandsons was Robert Stephen Hawker, who became a famous and unique poet in Cornwall.
Death and Legacy
Robert Hawker passed away in 1827. He had served Charles Church for 49 years in total. People say that the whole town of Plymouth mourned his death. He left behind a legacy of strong faith, powerful preaching, and deep care for the poor and sick.
Images for kids
-
Portrait of Dr Robert Hawker, the most famous Vicar of the Charles Church
-
Charles Church, May 2002
