A WELL-respected and popular Prestatyn vicar preparing to mark a church's 160th anniversary will take over the reins at Meliden's St Melyd's Church next month.
Reverend David Ash was appointed as the new vicar of Prestatyn in 2015. He has responsibility for Christ Church.
Reverend Ash, who is married to Sarah and has two children, will take up his new role in June.
Reverend Gregor Llachlan-Wadell, currently curate at Llanasa and Ffynnongroyw, will take over at Christ Church.
Reverend Ash will still be responsible for the Church of the Holy Spirit and intends to stay "very much involved" in the Prestatyn and Meliden Community.
"The Bishop has announced that I should move on from Christ Church in June to take over the reins at St Melyd’s Church, Meliden, so this 160th Anniversary shall now also be a swan song event for me," Reverend Ash said.
"Emotionally I am conflicted about leaving Christ Church, as I do not want to leave, especially at this time, but I am also pleased to be joining the team at St Melyd's.
"The Church of the Holy Spirit, where I shall continue to be vicar, is seeing the link of sharing my ministry with Meliden as being full of potential for the future, if the rather harsh series of speed bumps in-between the two churches is not too off-putting."
A series of special events over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May are taking place to mark Christ Church's 160th anniversary.
The church's main ambition is to celebrate with flowers and make the church even more full of colour and fragrance than usual.
RELATED STORIES
Reverend Ash said: "We are inviting anyone who would like to help us celebrate, perhaps because of special memories or associations with the church, or maybe in memory of a loved one, or just to make this anniversary significant, by providing some fresh flowers (single stems, bunches or displays) to decorate the place."
The Special Activities are as follows:
- Friday, May 26 at 7pm - a Memorial Service remembering all those we still miss surrounded by flowers. Free event
- Saturday May 27 at 7pm - An Evening of Words and Music, with soloist Jane Hartley and historian Derek Bond giving a history of Christ Church. Tickets are £6 in advance (£7 on the door) from Val 01745 855958
- Sunday May 28 at 10.45am. A Community Thanksgiving Service with the Bishop of St Asaph and a special photograph to be taken for the archives.
Reverend Ash added: "160 years is a great period of time that Christ Church has been serving Prestatyn. I shall have been Vicar for a twentieth of that which has been a real privilege."
"Christ Church has been a great place for large community gatherings such as the Civic Remembrance Services, concerts and the many happy times when the various local schools have held services or come together for the Joint Schools Carol Services.
"Through the lockdown periods of the Covid years we were very active in supporting others with shopping and fetching prescriptions, generally keeping in touch and rising to the challenge of offering online devotionals and seasonal encouragements some of which became very popular.
"I am not able to predict about the future, but perhaps I may have been 'the last vicar of Prestatyn' if the current strategy of dividing up responsibilities, as also in Rhyl, continues."
Potential contributors are asked to ring 01745 776355 ahead of the event and to leave a message.
The church will be open to the public between 10am and 6pm on Friday, May 26; Saturday, May 27 and Monday, May 29.
Church records will be available to look at.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here