Christopher Porteous

Born on 8 November 1935.

He was educated at Dulwich College, going from there to the Law Society's School of Law in London. He was articled to the Clerk of Malling (Kent) Rural District Council from 1954 to 1960, when he qualified as a solicitor. Meanwhile he trained as a Reader in the Church of England, qualifying in 1958 for this ministry which he continued at his Beckenham church, and more widely in the diocese of Rochester.

From 1960 he worked briefly with the London County Council, moving to Scotland Yard in 1962 where he became a legal assistant, senior legal assistant (1968-76), then the Assistant Solicitor 1976-87). From 1987 to 1995 he was Solicitor to the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, and the next three years served as President of the Association of Police Lawyers.

He was married with four daughters. He continued to be involved with wider church concerns, listing his interests (for 'Who's Who') as 'reading, poetry, hymn-writing, walking and local history'.

As a member of the Jubilate network of writers, Christopher Porteous readily revised his work in response to constructive criticism from others. His hymn texts have appeared in several books. Most in demand to date has been his passiontide and communion hymn 'He gave his life in selfless love' (set to Andrew Maries' tune 'Selfless love') which was published in more than a dozen hymnals, starting with the 1980 'Songs of Worship' which included four more of his texts. Among these are 'Lord, may we see your hands and side' which 'Mission Praise' also features, and items from his writing for children, family services and Christmas events. The text 'His eyes will guide my footsteps' first came in 'Hymns for Today's Church' (1982) and has been taken up by several other books. One or two of his hymns have also reached American hymnals. 

Christopher Porteous died peacefully at his home in December 2018 after a long illness.

https://www.jubilate.co.uk/people/christopher_porteous