Missionary's work remembered

James Hudson Taylor became a Christian at the age of 17

Barnsley is commemorating the life of a famous missionary who came from the town.

James Hudson Taylor was born in Cheapside in Barnsley in 1832 and lived there before receiving medical training, first in Hull and then in London.

He was a zealous Christian who believed in spreading the word of God.

This month marks the 150th anniversary of his first mission which was to China.

He went on to found the Christian Inland Mission (now OMF International) and become one of the most celebrated Victorian Christian missionaries.

Barnsley Council is celebrating by placing a plaque at the central library in Shamble Street which will be officially unveiled on Wednesday by Dr Paul Woods of OMF.

Barnsley's chief libraries officer, Steven Bashforth said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to bring one of Barnsley's great sons to light again."

An exhibition of the work of James Taylor Hudson, who died in 1905, is on display in the library until the end of September.