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By then his path to the ministry had
already begun. At 12 he met the Vicar of St Barnabus, Southfields and soon became involved
in the vibrant Church community joining the choir, and becoming a
Server and the leader of a thriving Scout Troop. It was at St Barnabus that he became
aware of his vocation, but was concerned by his lack of the
necessary academic qualifications. So began his years of weekend and
evening study. He left the Bank after 10 years, to work for the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, hoping to further his
chances of entering the Priesthood.
Ken’s perseverance reaped its rewards
in1963, when 18 years after leaving school and two heart-breaking
rejections by the selection board he was awarded a place at
Rochester Theological College. In 1967, came the happiest day of
his life, when he was ordained Priest at Rochester Cathedral. He was
licensed, as Curate, firstly at St Paulinus, Crayford and then at St
James, Beckenham. In 1975 he became vicar of St Augustine,
Belvedere, where he remain for eight very happy years and made many
friends. Always a humble and modest man, Ken had thought his lack
of university education might diminish the value of his Ministry.
However, his Christian conviction, compassion, and dedication to
pastoral care far outweighed this concern and in 1983, he was the
unanimous choice of Keeble College, Oxford for the living at St
James. The Church Wardens in both Yarmouth and Thorley could not
believe their luck, especially when Audrey was able to join Ken,
having decided to take early retirement.
The next 11 years were blessed with the
familiar figure of Father Ken, as Rector of St James’ and Vicar of
St Swithin’s, in his black cassock pounding the highways and byways
of the West Wight listening to, and ministering to his parishioners’
needs. Both he and Audrey involved themselves in the Church school,
and local groups and societies. Ken was first and foremost a people
person, able to remember everyone’s name after just one meeting, and
the rectory was open house to all. On one memorable occasion he
joined the lifeboat crew for a practice rescue, and shortly after
leaving harbour was spotted, cassock billowing, flying through the
air suspended from the helicopter. We are all grateful that they
devoted so much of themselves to the parishes. It was a sad day for
them and us when they retired.
In retirement, having fallen in love
with the Island, they moved to Godshill where, true to form, Ken
devoted much of his time helping in the parishes of Shanklin,
Wroxall, and St Lawrence. He was so well known and |
valued, that he was in constant demand for
weddings, christenings and funerals. He kept in touch with his
previous parishioners, attending social functions when invited and
taking care not to upset his successors in the living. The presence of over 250 people at the
Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for his life, held at the
Parish Church of St James, Yarmouth, is a testament to Ken’s great
qualities and the esteem in which he is held. This is echoed in the
many, many cards and letters that Audrey has received. Amongst those
letters was one from Timothy Bavin, the Bishop of Portsmouth at the
time of Ken’s incumbency in Yarmouth and Thorley. I am sure that he
would not mind if I quote an extract from that letter:
“Ken was the best kind of Priest in the
Church of England - quiet, faithful, and very much loved – one of
God’s saints. So, now surely he enjoys life in its fullness, with
those he loved so well.”
The above was adapted from the Eulogy
written and delivered at Father Ken’s Service by Ken Grist. His
remains have been interred in the Churchyard at St Swithin’s,
Thorley, at his request. |