Kenred Smith (1866 – 1949)
This obituary was published in "Memoirs of ministers and missionaries", pages 353-354.
A scan of the original pages can be found here.
Smith, Kenred was born at Willingham, Cambridgeshire, on 25th April, 1866.
He became associated with St. Andrew's Street Church, Cambridge, and was baptized there at the age of sixteen.
He quickly entered into the life of the church and acted for several years as secretary of the Cambridge Sunday School Union.
His call to missionary service was followed by admission to Bristol College and in 1895 he set out for the Congo Mission.
He was appointed to Upoto, then in the early stages of its development.
He shared in the pioneering work on the station and itinerated in the vast district.
He was a fervent evangelist and a teacher of those immature in the faith.
He also played a notable part in reducing languages to writing and in translating the scriptures into them.
A breakdown in health compelled his resignation from missionary service in 1914. For many years he contributed a monthly page to Wonderlands and so gained the affection of hundreds of children.
He also ministered to churches in Gloucestershire and served the interests of the B.M.S. both on it's General Committee and locally.
He was twice married, his first wife dying after two years in Congo.
He died on 19th February 1949, leaving a widow and son - H.L.H.
