Popular Priest Moves to New Pastures

It was a day of mixed emotions for all at St Georges Church, Whyke this week, as much-loved priest and rector, Father Paul Seaman, bade farewell, as he left for a new post. The church was filled, and his farewell Mass was a very special and moving occasion, filled with both laughter and tears.



Father Paul, aged 45, a former primary school teacher in Berkshire, was ordained in Oxford in 1986. He then served as assistant curate in Tilehurst, near Reading, before moving on to become a team vicar at St Mary Magdalen, Coldean, Brighton. He left there in November 1995, and in December that year, became the rector of St Georges.

During his time in this post, he has been a Governor of both Rumboldswhyke Infants and Central Junior church schools, as well as having a close relationship with Kingsham Primary School. He has provided pastoral care during the Year 6 residential weeks on the Isle of Wight for both of the junior schools, and has regularly led worship at the two church schools.

His relationship with the children of the parish has been very important to him, and under his guidance, the Sunday school, known as the “J” Team, has flourished, and has around 50 active members.

In addition, the profile of St Georges has also changed, with numbers of the congregation increasing, and the average age decreasing. The success of his leadership was clearly shown earlier this year, when the church was rated highly in a “Growing Healthy Churches” survey.

In 2002, he presided over the celebration of the centenary of the church building, during which time, again under his guidance, the new parish centre was completed, giving a welcoming place for social and community events.

For almost six years, he has also served as the Mayor’s Chaplain, leading prayers at the start of City Council meetings, presiding over the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the war memorial, and acting as a formal member of the Mayoral entourage at official events.



Additionally, during this time, he has been involved in re-establishing a link with the only Anglican religious community in Wales, The Society of the Sacred Cross, at Ty Mawr near Monmouth – an order of nuns which was founded in the parish in the early 20th century.

He moves to the parish of St Marys, East Grinstead, to take up a new ministry there under Bishop Lindsay, Bishop of Horsham, and his formal induction will take place there on Wednesday 6th December.

Paying tribute to him, churchwarden Liz Cooper made an emotional address thanking him for all his hard work and care, adding that he was unique in that he knew everyone’s name, and ended by saying “(that above all….) We love you, Father Paul”. This was then followed by the presentation of a card, a framed watercolour painting of the church, and a cheque following a collection amongst the congregation, together with an hilarious new “hymn” entitled Ode to Father Paul.

Amongst many tributes, fellow churchwarden Mike Glancy said that “Our loss is East Grinstead’s gain” and another tearful parishioner added “He always made you feel genuinely cared for. He knew my name from the very first time I attended, and I have always felt welcome”.