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Homecoming for church’s new rector

St John’s Episcopal Church in Perth welcomed its new rector, the Reverend Patrick Grant, at an induction ceremony yesterday.

Rev Grant (39) was selected after a long and painstaking procedure to fill the void left by Canon Bob Fyffe, who has departed to become general secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland after a 14-year spell as rector.

His new post represents something of a homecoming for Rev Grant, who grew up in Alyth, where his father was rector of the Alyth and Blairgowrie parish before moving to Inverurie in 1978.

After studying history and archaeology at King Alfred’s College, Winchester, Rev Grant was employed by Christie’s Auctioneers in London, eventually becoming a specialist in antique scientific and medical instruments.

In 1990 he moved to Streatham where he met his future wife Alison, a music teacher.

There he also became involved in an ecumenical group, setting up the Spires drop-in centre, which originally provided care for the homeless on Sundays and now runs seven days a week.

The experience prompted him to offer himself for priesthood and led him to theological training at Ripon College, in Cuddesdon, Oxford.

After ordination and curacy in Croydon, he served as vicar of South Beddington and Roundshaw in Surrey.

Asked about his hopes for his new post, Rev Grant said he is eager to make his mark in Perthshire.

“I hope to continue to build on the strong foundations at St John’s and to help the church community meet the challenges and opportunities that all churches face in the 21st century,” he said.

“I look forward to working with other local churches in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ both in word and deed and to working to support the wider community in its endeavours.”

On a lighter note, Rev Grant said he hopes to introduce his young sons Jamie and Alex to the delight of ice cream from Mackies shop in Inverurie.

Full story at Perthshire Advertiser.