Express & Star

From Bangkok to the Black Country: Meet the new vicar in town

A vicar has travelled across the world to take up his new designation.

Published

Reverend Tim Eady became the new resident minister of St Joseph’s Church, in Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, on August 2, after seven years of working in Bangkok in Thailand.

He was the vicar of Christ Church Bangkok, the only English-speaking Anglican church in the country, working with the ex-pat community and 30 other nationalities.

This role in Thailand had followed a career working in churches all over the country, having been ordained in 1985 in Derby.

Revd Eady made the choice to return to the UK to come back to something more familiar.

He said: “It was time to come back after seven years.

"My wife and I had decided we wanted to do an overseas appointment and after our children had grown up we were pleased to go to Thailand.

“It was a fascinating experience, but it was time to come back to the UK.

Tim became resident minister in a special service on August 5, attended by Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith

“As it happens, St Joseph’s was the only church we looked at after the details of the job came into my inbox. We looked at it and it happened very quickly for us.”

The licensing of Tim as the resident minister of St Joseph’s took place on August 5 and he has been made welcome by members of the community.

He said: “We have found people to be extremely welcoming.

People have needs, questions, doubts and concerns and have religious and spiritual questions, so the welcome we have received here has been tremendous.”

The 62-year-old plans to be at the church as resident minister for the foreseeable future and wishes to encourage more people to come and be part of the church.

He said: “I would say to people who have never been to church or who are looking to find a church to belong to, come and try us and see.

“The church exists for people who are not yet members and offers an arm of friendship to people in need and who need help in life.

“Please come and try us. You will be made very welcome.”