In the late 1920's Ernest Luff and Percival E Petter founded the "Pilgrim Preachers". They were a band of evangelists who travelled the country on foot, speaking to people as they went.
Percival E Petter along with his twin brother Ernest W Petter built the the first internal combustion engined automobile in Great Britain in 1895 and went on to build one the first British Seaplanes, the Short Type 184.
Ernest Luff was famous as the leader of the Pilgrim Preachers, In his home town of Frinton, Essex, he was known for his Evangelism, Bible shop and the Mission hall he established. He was a man who lived by faith and whose maxim was ‘God has Resources’.
Percival E Petter and Ernest Luff Founding Members of the Pilgrim Preachers
This group of itinerant young Preachers toured the British Isles, fanning out by two's and threes. The press dubbed them "The Pilgrim Preachers", and the name stuck. In their company Mr Whyte Preached in the open air throughout England, Scotland and Wales, ranging from the steps in front of St Pauls Cathedral in London to the Shetland Islands, the Orkneys and Hebrides.
Pilgrim Preachers Party, 21st Tour 1935
G. Glymn, W. Gamble, J.H. Daws, J.W. Newton, E. Luff, D. Kerr, E. Woodhouse, G. Whyte, D.L. Clifford,
At the age of 75, when most men would have long retired, struck by the needs of frail, elderly Christians, Ernest Luff set about raising funds for a series of care homes. This resulted eventually in an attractive, purpose-built care scheme in the seaside town of Frinton.
The 21st century has not been kind to care homes and, in the past few years, thousands have been scuppered by rising costs and burgeoning regulations. In the circumstances the Pilgrim Preacher would have said, more than once, that ‘God has Resources’, and he would have approved of the way the Lord has brought his work into this safe harbour.