Vicar leaving St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol
After 12 years as vicar of “the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in all England” the vicar, Canon Dan Tyndall, has announced that he is leaving the church.
Dan first came to Redcliffe in 1996 when he spent five years as Associate Vicar, an assistant priest role, at the church. He was well known for describing that role at that time as “The best job in the Church of England.” However, after twelve years as vicar, he now says “I have to admit that I think this one is even better … just!”
Having been ordained for a little over thirty years, Dan has spent over half his ministry within Redcliffe. Of his time in Redcliffe, he says “It is a community, a building and a place I have always loved for its people, its situation and its mix. It has been a huge privilege, a real honour and (on the whole) great fun being here, living here and sharing with the people of Redcliffe in the work of the gospel.”
Speaking to the congregation yesterday Dan said: “There have been some notable ‘wins’: a strapline and four key themes that really describe who SMR is; a congregation that has grown in number and diversity; a community team that is making a real difference; a significant increase in visitor engagement; and a far more robust and compliant organisational structure. However, there are also some things that have been left undone: most notably, our accessible toilet is still down a flight of steps!”
Dan and his wife, Sarah, will leave Redcliffe in the summer and relocate to London where Sarah will continue to work. Being a clergy family means that all their previous moves have all been determined by Dan getting a new job. For the last ten years Sarah has been commuting to the capital so this move will enable her to be closer to her work and Dan will spend his time supporting the work of the local church in new ways.
Dan told the congregation, “I have great confidence in the amazing team within this extraordinary place. I know you will continue to ‘Sing the Song of Faith and Justice’ with hope and expectation. I know you will continue to find new, dynamic and creative ways that honour Redcliffe’s traditions. I know you will continue to build on them and so unfold as yet unknown and unseen glimpses of the Kingdom of God. Thank you for your companionship along the way and for your commitment to this wonderful place.”
Dan’s time as vicar of “Bristol’s fairest” will end in the early summer and his final service at St Mary Redcliffe will be on Sunday 13 July.
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