Reverend marks his 60th year

THE Rev David Joynes, wife, Elaine Joynes

A CHURCH congregation held a special anniversary service in Hollinwood to celebrate a former formidable minister.

Beulah Community Church invited community champion Rev David Joynes to their celebratory event, which marked 60 years since his ordination in December 1956.

Mr Joynes retired from Beulah Community Church, formerly Beulah Baptist & Hollinwood United Reformed Church, in 2009 after 52 years as a Baptist minister.

Existing Rev Fiona Hicks said: "It is very unusual in the baptist ministry for one minister to stay that long in one church.

"It was the only church he ever knew.

"He still comes twice a year to preach and preaches on the Methodist lay circuit in the villages near his home.

"We held a very special service, which was led by Mr Joynes, followed by a lunch in his honour."

The service, held at the Withins Road church on Sunday, November 27, was organised as close to the official date of Mr Joynes' ordination, December 1.

Masses of residents and well-wishers took part in a sponsored walk in Alexandra Park seven years ago when the honorary guest stepped down from his post in Hollinwood and moved to Carlton.

Born in London in 1931, Mr Joynes went on to study law at St John's College, Oxford, where he felt called to become a Baptist minister.

He moved to Hollinwood in 1956 after marrying wife Elaine, from Rochdale, and joined the community as a 25-year-old minister.

Grandfather Mr Joynes previously said: "This church and Oldham were my life for over 50 years.

"I was very happy here, I felt it was a church that had a lot of potential. The church is a fellowship of believers and I was welcomed with open arms by a very friendly group of people."

The kind-hearted community stalwart helped establish a youth centre at Beulah Baptist Church in 1964 and worked as head of RE at Counthill School alongside his ministerial responsibilities.

He represented Hollinwood on Oldham Council between 1994 and 2002 and set up the Interfaith Forum after the 2001 riots.

On retiring, Mr Joynes told the Oldham Chronicle: "I'm retiring because I think it's right for someone to take over.

"We shall be relaxing a lot, but there are lots of Methodist chapels in the surrounding villages so I think I'll be able to lend a hand.

"I will definitely miss Hollinwood, it's the end of an era."