Popular vicar retires on health grounds

A popular vicar who oversaw a massive restoration of one of Burnley's oldest churches has retired on health grounds.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Apr 2016, 11:05 BST
BEST WISHES: Father Keith Henshall with church wardens Miriam Shorrock and Ruth PicklesBEST WISHES: Father Keith Henshall with church wardens Miriam Shorrock and Ruth Pickles
BEST WISHES: Father Keith Henshall with church wardens Miriam Shorrock and Ruth Pickles

Father Keith Henshall said goodbye to his flock at St John the Divine Church, Holme in Cliviger, but not before overseeing work to replace the roof on the historic building.

Parishioners flocked to the church to bid goodbye to Father Keith at a special Eucharist service where he was presented with a cheque.

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Church warden Ruth Pickles said: “It is very sad to see Father Keith and very hard to say goodbye.

St John the Divine Church, Holme in ClivigerSt John the Divine Church, Holme in Cliviger
St John the Divine Church, Holme in Cliviger

“He is very popular and very well-thought of here and we wish him well in the future.

“Father Keith did a lot of good for the church over the last six years, not least overseeing the massive fund-raising needed for the new roof, which has now been completed.

“Our church is one of the oldest in Burnley and it now looks beautiful again. Following the service we had a Jacob’s Join and then presented Father Keith with a cheque raised by the parishioners.

“We wish him good health and happiness in the future.”

The restoration work was funded from appeals, donations and English Heritage.

Related topics:Burnley