Harcourt Samuel was born at the Central Hall, Philpot Street, Whitechapel, into a family dedicated to sharing the message of Yeshua with the Jewish people. He was first of five children. His father, Elijah Bendor Samuel, was a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania who came to faith in the Messiah in Birmingham after arriving in England in 1886. Elijah worked with the Hebrew Christian Testimony to Israel. Harcourt’s upbringing was steeped in biblical teaching, prayer, and a deep appreciation for his Jewish heritage.
Harcourt’s early life in East London shaped his passion for service. While working at an insurance company in the city, he developed skills that later proved invaluable in managing the International Hebrew Christian Alliance (IHCA). By his teens, Harcourt was organizing evangelistic meetings in rural Essex, eventually establishing a chapel in Lambourne End. His leadership was recognized early, and he became a key figure in the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches.
In 1925, Harcourt began his lifelong association with the IHCA, serving initially as recording secretary and later as general secretary. His work expanded the IHCA’s reach globally, supporting Hebrew Christians during critical periods, including the Nazi era and the establishment of the State of Israel. He was instrumental in fundraising, refugee aid, and fostering international alliances. His civic engagement, including serving as Mayor of Ramsgate and receiving the Order of the British Empire in 1960, highlighted his wide-ranging influence.
1933 Minister at Lambourne End, Sussex.
His posts included
1937 Co-opted as a member of the Ramsgate Education Committee
1941 Member of the Town Council
1942 Minister, Cavendish Baptist Church, Ramsgate
1942 Chairman of Civil Defence Committee
1943 Vice-chairman of the housing and town planning
1943 Vice-president of the Kent and Sussex Baptists organisation
1945 Chair of General Hospital Fund
1960 Order of the British Empire (OBE), Thanet Disablement Advisory Committee
Harcourt Samuel’s life was a testament to his commitment to fostering fellowship among Jewish believers in Jesus and serving both his faith community and society.
Reflection and Prayer
I had the privilege of knowing Harcourt Samuel from 1979 to his passing in 1996. I attended meetings of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the International Hebrew Christian Alliance, serving with him on the British Alliance Committee, and spending time with him and his daughter Irene and brother Theodore on many occasions. He was a founding member of the International Hebrew Christian Alliance in 1925 and a true patriarch of what we call today the Messianic Jewish movement. He welcomed (with some concerns) the transition from the “Hebrew Christian” to the “Messianic Jewish” Alliance. He was a joy to know, an inspiration as a wise leader and senior statesman, and a humble servant of his Messiah.
Father in heaven, we thank you for the life and work of your servant Harcourt Samuel, in raising up the Hebrew Christian Alliance and its impact on the modern Messianic movement. Help us, like him, to be diligent in prayer and service, helping our brothers and sisters in Yeshua, our people Israel, and all nations to know the Messiah Yeshua’s love and the presence of your Spirit. Amen.
אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם, אָנוּ מוֹדִים לְךָ עַל חַיָּיו וּפָעֳלוֹ שֶׁל עַבְדְּךָ הַנֶּאֱמָן, הַרְקוּרְט שְׁמוּאֵל, בַּהֲקִימִי אֶת אֲגוּדַת הַנּוֹצְרִים הָעִבְרִיִּים וְעַל הַשְּׁפָעָתָהּ עַל הַתְּנוּעָה הַמְּשִׁיחִית הַחֲדָשָׁה. עֲזָרֵנוּ, כָּמוֹתוֹ, לִהְיוֹת עֲמֵלִים בִּתְפִלָּה וּבַעֲבוֹדָה, לְעָזֹר לְאַחֵינוּ וַאֲחַיּוֹתֵינוּ בְּיֵשׁוּעַ, לְעַמֵּנוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּלְכָל הָאֻמּוֹת, לְהַכִּיר אֶת אַהֲבַת הַמָּשִׁיחַ יֵשׁוּעַ וּנְכוֹחוּת רוּחֲךָ. אָמֵן.
Avinu she-ba-shamayim, anu modim lekha al chayyav u-fa’olo shel avdekha ha-ne’eman, Harcourt Shmuel, ba-hakimi et Agudat ha-Notzrim ha-Ivri’im ve-al hashpa’atah al ha-t’nu’ah ha-meshichit ha-chadashah. Azarenu, ka-moto, lihyot amelim bi-tefillah u-va-avodah, le’azor le-acheinu va-achayotenu b’Yeshua, le-amenu Yisrael, u-le-khol ha-ummot, le-hakir et ahavat ha-Mashiach Yeshua u-nechochut Ruchakha. Amen.
Powerpoint on Harcourt’s life here –https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wskg3aluy71kvf2b4ji75/Harcourt-Samuel.mp4?rlkey=07wjs06ecei1qss6jutpm7fzi&dl=0 (audio)
Article in Mishkan by Theodore Bendor-Samuel – https://www.caspari.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/mishkan15.pdf (page 37-41)
Other articles about or by Harcourt Samuel here – https://jewinthepew.org/?s=Harcourt+Samuel
On This Day In Messianic Jewish History 