Bilingual blue plaques tell of Yorkshire lad who took Christianity to Chinese

Missionary James Hudson Taylor is credited with taking Christianity to China in the mid-19th century, and after setting out from Barnsley aged 21, he immersed himself in the culture of the Far East, living in the country for half a century.

So when Barnsley Civic Trust agreed to recognise the site of his birth in the town’s Albert Street East, members thought it appropriate to mark it in both his native English and his adopted tongue.

The James Hudson Taylor Group, which worked with the Civic Trust on the project, said the plaque was fixed to Barnsley’s Boots store, on the site of an apothecary owned by Hudson Taylor’s father.

Dr John Foster, the group’s chairman, said: “James Hudson Taylor took the Christian message from here in Barnsley to China and the organisation he founded has influenced the lives of well over 100 million people; the Christian message is Barnsley’s biggest export.

“He was 21 years old when he first went to China, a young man of great courage; he’s an inspiration for young people everywhere.

“Barnsley has a unique place in history and in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people; we Barnsley folk don’t fully appreciate what we have on our doorstep.

“These two blue plaques indicate that we are very proud of this local lad and what he achieved in his field.”

Work has now started on the creation of a walking trail, which will take in some of the key locations linked to Hudson Taylor’s early life in Barnsley and it is hoped the work may attract new tourists to the town in future. The missionary was unique among his peers in adopting Chinese dress and learning their language to assist with his work.