On the trail of a fiery preacher (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Menston, Ilkley, Manningham, Nab Wood, Saltaire and Shipley feature in Idle man's tribute trips to precher Smith Wigglesworth

8:30am Thursday 10th June 2010 in News By Marrianne Clough

Two admirers of one of the most charismatic Christian preachers ever to emerge from Bradford are setting out to make sure that his world-wide fame is echoed in his home city.

Smith Wigglesworth, born in Menston 151 years ago today, was a gruff tradesman whose belief was to “take God at his word” and this faith sparked the modern charismatic revival of the church.

Now health care assistant Brian Holland, 62, of Idle, who has made a study of Wigglesworth for 18 years, is starting Smith Wigglesworth Heritage Tours with his wife Kathryn to promote his name in the city.

The day trips will take in key places in his life including Menston, Ikley, Manningham, Saltaire and Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley, where he is buried.

Mr Holland said: “Smith Wigglesworth is the biggest name to come out of Bradford that Bradford hasn’t heard of.

“In his day he was front-page news and he is still known in all four corners of the Earth.

“I get hits on the website from all over the world and yet he is largely unknown in Bradford.”