Vicar steps down after 38 years

The Rev Paul Plumpton outside St James’s, Derker

A LONG-STANDING vicar is bowing out after 38 years serving the parish of St James in Derker.

Reverend Paul Plumpton retires today as the longest serving vicar at the church in Barry Street since it opened in 1829.

During his term Fr Plumpton has led a 60-strong congregation, helped restore the church building to its former glory and been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Holiday

The 67-year-old priest has set his sights on living in Malta ­- a holiday destination he has visited 25 times.

Quoting scripture he said: "Having put my hand to the plough I felt it important to continue.

"I have just done the job as best I could.

"The congregation have been simply wonderful throughout ­- they are a very caring, united group of people, hard-working, extremely generous, devoted and committed."

He added: "I'm very optimistic about the future of the parish.

"It has been my life but it is right that there should be fresh leadership.

"My long term has been a very joyful one and I'm very grateful for the privilege of being able to serve."

Rev Plumpton grew up in Manchester as an only child and on finishing school at 17 went to study theology at Keble College, Oxford, between 1969 and 1972.

He then trained for the priesthood at St Stephen's House - an Anglican theological college located in the University of Oxford - for two years.

Rev Plumpton said: "The move from schoolboy to priest was an act of faith. I didn't come from a church family.

"I felt drawn and have stuck at it ever since."

St James' Church, which celebrated its 180th anniversary in 2009, was Fr Plumpton's first posting as vicar after serving as assistant curate at St Augustine's in Tonge Moor, Bolton, and curate at St John the Baptist Church in Abberton.

Sanctuary

He set about raising money to restore the Grade-II listed church building, a task which involved works to the floor, roof and tower as well as marble sanctuary, exterior masonry and new pews.

Rev Plumpton said: "It has been a long job. Over the 38 years it has cost around £1.2million, very little of which was funded through public money."

Parishioners nominated the reverend for a Pride in Oldham award in 2006 for saving the church, the oldest in Oldham, from almost certain collapse.