A WINCHESTER church has a new priest after a five-year search.

Rev Jamie Franklin has taken over the position of Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity Church, on Upper Brook Street.

Rev Franklin said that he is “really, really excited” to take over the position. He said: “I lived here before on this road, I knew the previous incumbent and I’ve known about the fact that there’s been a vacancy, which is known as an interregnum, for these five years.

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“I think it’s fantastic for the church that they’ve created this post and I’m delighted to be here. I am very excited about this ministry and what it’s going to lead to and I am delighted for the people here that they’ve got a priest because it’s tough for the laity to keep things going, they’ve got busy lives they’ve got things on and yet they’ve kept things going on here.

Hampshire Chronicle: Rev Jamie Franklin will officially start his duties at Holy Trinity from July 4Rev Jamie Franklin will officially start his duties at Holy Trinity from July 4 (Image: Newsquest)“There’s lots to do and everyone is putting lots of effort in, particularly the churchwardens, so I just hope to come in here, help them, encourage them and see things flourishing.”

Holy Trinity is the first church that Rev Franklin has been in charge with after he was fully ordained. He previously held a position at St George’s in the Meadows in Oxford while he finished his curacy before returning to Winchester.

He will officially commence his duties for Holy Trinity on Tuesday, July 4 following a licensing ceremony held at 7.30pm.

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He continued: “I think it’s going to be a great service. There are many people coming from the local community, people from my previous parish as well, as well as friends and family and members from elsewhere, so I think it’s going to be a joyful occasion and I hope its going to be a good start to this ministry here.”

Churchwarden Cathie Mabey said: “We’re extremely pleased that after five and a half years we do actually have someone now, and hope he will be able to bring more congregation into us, reach out to people, bring more people in to uplift the church.

“We have an elderly congregation, so it would be nice to try and link in with younger people coming back into the church”.

Mrs Mabey said the lack of a priest had meant the church could have been in danger of permanent closure.