[taken from Chapter 1 Manx Worthies, A.W.Moore, 1901]

JAMES SAMUEL POLLOCK (b. 1834, d. 1896),

son of Major Pollock, of the 43rd Light Infantry, was born at Derby Castle, Douglas. He took his B.A. and M.A. degrees at Trinity College, Dublin. In 1858, he was ordained by the Bishop of Chester, and, in 1861, he became Curate of St. Paul's, Birmingham. From that time, nearly the whole of his life was spent in mission work in that city, in which he was joined by his brother, the late Rev. T. B. Pollock, whose name is inseparably connected with his, as a partner in an invaluable and admirable ministry. This work was begun by them as assistants of the Vicar of Holy Trinity, Bordesley, whose parish was in the very poorest part of Birmingham; it was pursued with the utmost enthusiasm and devotion, and, notwithstanding, or, perhaps, largely because of, the persecution which they met with on account of their ritualistic services, they obtained a most remarkable success. In 1881, through their exertions, awl largely also owing too their subscriptions-since the brothers spent the whole of their not inconsiderable private means on their churches, etc.-the magnificent church of St. Alban the Martyr was erected at a cost of £20,000, and its district was created a separate parish. Since that year, they have also opened three mission churches in the parish, with schools for 1,500 children and they have organised guilds, friendly societies, tic. These churches and institutions were conducted by three assistant clergy, six lay readers, and four deaconesses, besides the brothers POLLOCK. It is estimated that, during their labours among the poorest people in Birmingham, they raised no less than £100,000 for church purposes. They were true and earnest Christians, and did a great and noble work, which will not soon be forgotten by the poor of Birmingham.