Vicar blesses cross before retiring after 21 years

Father Barry Carter, vicar of St Michael and All Angels in South Street, Lancing, retired last month having been at the church since June 1995.

Two weeks before his retirement, he blessed a new wooden cross which has now been placed on the east end of the church roof.

This replaced the original cross which had been in place since the church was built in 1924.

Father Barry said: “It is very strange after 21 years serving Lancing. I do miss it already, particularly the people and interacting with people.

“The music will be the thing I will miss most, the arrangements have made a big impression and are very much valued by myself and other people. The performers almost took up half the church!”

“With the cross, I think they wanted me to bless it before I left. A way of saying goodbye to the church.”

Churchwarden Gill Kerney explained: “After over 90 years on the roof of the church the cross had become extremely weathered and our architect advised replacing it during his regular inspection of the church building. The work was carried out by a local firm, Seth Evans Joinery, who did a brilliant job of carving and recreating the design of the cross.

“It was great that father Barry was able to bless the cross at the end of a Sunday Eucharist before our builders, R.J.Steele, placed it on the roof.

“It now stands proudly for all to see and we hope it will last for at least the next 90 years.”

The work was paid for in a legacy fund from former church member Grace Noel.

For further details on the church, readers can visit www.stmichaelslancing.org.uk

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