Sunday 16th April was a very poignant day as St. Vigor’s held its final service, a celebration of some 800 years of worship and history.

The service was led by our Rector, The Revd. Esther Smith in the presence of The Ven. Dr Adrian Youings, Archdeacon of Bath, who preached the sermon with reference to our readings from Haggai 2: 1-9 read by Lady Gerry Lea and John 2: 18-22 read by Mrs Dianne Jackson. Eulogies were given by Jeremy Padfield on behalf of the village and Parish Council, Chris Chorley Headteacher of St. Vigor and St. John School and our Churchwarden Trevor Letcher. Members of the congregation were also invited to say a few words. The Revd Stephen Miles, Curate, led prayers from the front of the nave, the font, the lectern and at the altar. 

Our joyous hymns were ‘Praise my soul, the King of heaven’, ‘Lord for the years your love has kept and guided’, ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’ and ‘Tell out my soul, the greatness of the lord’.

The service was greatly enhanced by a full church of parishioners, friends from St. John’s, former members of the church and in a number of cases descendants of former members, who had travelled some distances to be part of our celebrations and represent those who had gone before. It all brought back many happy memories for us all.