Revd Dr Charles Henry Coryndon Baker (1843-1916) studied at St Aidan’s College, Birkenhead, then St Edmund Hall College, Oxford (MA, BD, DD). He was ordained deacon in 1868 and priested the following year. After curacies in Surrey and Leicestershire, and a spell as chaplain to the Earl of Lonsdale, he was Vicar of Askham, Westmoreland, which was in the patronage of the Earl, from 1872-78. He came to St John’s in 1878 through an exchange with Stewart Holland, serving the parish for 6 years.
Baker was well-known as ‘a very hard-working clergyman, who was indefatigable in the discharge of his ministerial duties.’ He had a special concern for the Sunday School and day school, and was particularly noted for his preaching, attracting large congregations and receiving invitations to preach beyond Bury. He also brought well-known preachers of the day from London to preach at St John’s.
Leaving St John’s, he exchanged benefices with Thomas Stantial at St John’s, Clapham Rise. He later served as Vicar of All Saints Scarborough, and was Rector of Newnham with Mapledurwell in Hampshire from 1901 until his death in 1916. His wife pre-deceased him. They had 2 sons and 1 daughter.