A new vicar has been announced for Pudsey Parish Church – and he’ll be a familiar face to some people in West Leeds.
The Reverend Gareth Howles, who is currently serving as Priest in Charge of St John’s Church, Farsley, is set to take over in June. Pudsey Parish Church has been without a priest in charge since Richard Dimery left to run Pudsey Community Project last year.
Mr Howles was licensed as Priest in Charge at St John’s during the pandemic in December 2020. A St John’s spokesperson said: “Since then he has done some great work leading our church, bringing in new members of the congregation and particularly the many young people who we enjoy welcoming to our services each week.
“Gareth’s departure is sad news for us because he has been such a good vicar here, and he will be missed by many. We wish to congratulate him on his new appointment and he and his family will leave us with all our very best wishes for the future. He will continue working in Farsley until starting his new role in Pudsey in June.
“We do not yet have any further details on who will be leading our services when Gareth leaves us while we begin the process of appointing a new vicar. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks on how we plan to say a fond farewell to Gareth and his family. We will make sure there are plenty of opportunities for us all to celebrate the ministry he has shared with us over the past three and a half years.”
A Leeds Diocese spokesperson said: “The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Rev Nicholas Baines, is pleased to announced that the Rev Gareth Howles has been appointed as Priest in Charge of Pudsey Parish Church in the Leeds Episcopal Area. The licensing service will take place in June 2024 with the date yet to be confirmed. Bishop Arun Arora, the Bishop of Kirkstall, will be officiating.”
Sponsored content
