OF the many sayings that have passed into the language from the Bible, including ‘the writing is on the wall’, ‘the right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing’, and ‘let your light shine’, the saying ‘a prophet is without honour in his home town’ was patently untrue last Tuesday evening, July 30, as the congregations of the churches in east Winchester: All Saints, St John’s and St Andrew’s Chilcomb, welcomed their new rector, the Reverend Chris Curry. 

As well as taking up a new post, it was a homecoming for Chris who grew up in All Saints parish and found faith there in his youth.

Chris left Winchester to study law at the University of Oxford and went on to work for human rights charities in the areas of policy and training, and supported the work of the Directors for Mission and Women, and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations at the international Anglican Communion Office.

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Chris trained for the priesthood in London and was ordained in 2021. Before his return to his home city, he spent three years as a curate in Brentford. Chris is married to Sarah, and they have two young children. He also holds an BA in Theology and an MA in Human Rights.

St John’s Church was packed for the service of institution and induction led by the Bishop of Winchester, Bishop Philip Mounstephen, and in the presence of the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Simon Tufnell, representing the Crown, who read a proclamation from the King. 

Members of all three congregations were joined by Chris’ family, well wishers and friends from his previous parish, local community leaders and local clergy. Amid the centuries old formalities, such as presenting the new rector with the keys of the churches, and laying on the altar symbols of Christian ministry: water for baptism, oil for healing, bread and wine for the Eucharist, the Bible and a prayer book, there was much warmth, joy and laughter. This prophet is most certainly welcome in his home town. 

By Reverend Christine Smith, Associate Priest East Winchester Benefice