A CHURCH in Llangollen is to welcome a new vicar.

Father Lee Taylor, currently the vicar of Croydon minster in the diocese of Southwark, will take up the role at St Collen’s Church in Llangollen in autumn, following the departure of Reverend Andrew Sully earlier this year.

Father Taylor, aged 40, born in Bolton, is no stranger to Wales as he studied theology at the University of Wales in Lampeter in 1996, where he was organ scholar and choirmaster.

After university, Father Taylor worked in a call centre and as a barman at a Working Men’s Club, playing the organ there before bingo.

In 2002, Father Taylor moved to London to work as a verger at Southwark Cathedral, a layperson caretaker role that formed a major step in his journey to faith.

During his time in London, Father Taylor also studied for a master’s degree in Christian liturgy and worked as a chaplaincy assistant at Guy’s & St Thomas’ hospitals, travelling around the city as a deputy organist and forming his own choir.

Father Taylor said: “I have felt a strong calling to move to Llangollen. It is a beautiful place and, of course, is considered the festival capital of Wales with so much going on in terms of music and the arts. This is something I hope to positively engage with when I take up the role of vicar later this year.

“The experience [at Southwark Cathedral] was extremely valuable in my journey of faith and in discerning my vocation to the priesthood. It helped me to become more mission-minded when it comes to church and community engagement."

Music is a primary way in which Father Taylor engages with the community, but it also allows him to connect with his own faith. “Playing the organ, singing and composing music is something that I still enjoying doing in my spare time," Father Taylor said. "It helps me to re-energise myself and keep in touch with my creative self.

“Music is a powerful way of learning and expressing the awe and wonder of God’s presence. As a musician, I often use music when I lead school assemblies as a teaching tool to communicate the Gospel."

Father Taylor served his curacy, the entry clergy post, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex and later took on his current role in Croyden.

Speaking on his connection to pubs, Father Taylor said: “Pubs have always been part of my life: my mother ran two pubs in Wigan, where I used to assist by serving behind the bar and playing a few old-time songs on the piano.

“I consider myself to be an engaging and creative person with a great love of music and comedy."

Father Taylor is a member of the British Music Hall Society and currently pursuing an informal study on the theology of humour.

He concluded: “I am greatly looking forward to my move to this fascinating town and to serving all sections of the community."