St Luke's Church, Buckfastleigh
Plymouth Rd, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DA

http://www.stlukes.buckfastleigh.org

CLICK HERE for DEAN PRIOR CHURCH: The Church of St. George the Martyr, Dean Prior

Rev. John Rowland 1947-2011

By now you will have heard of the sudden death of our vicar, Reverend John Rowland. His work touched so many lives. He was a "people person" and loved to be out and about in the town mixing with groups, visiting homes and welcoming people into the church. Who will forget his individual style of driving, his unique take on dancing (some residents still bear the scars) and his passion for Plymouth Argyle? He had no time for pomposity, and so was able to relate to people from all walks of life and of all ages, and his caring was genuine, springing from his love for his saviour Jesus. He loved contact with children and families, visiting the school, was on the committee of "The Bungalow", and enjoyed beach cricket on church outings, but he was equally happy at the Senior Citizens lunch club and leading services at Redmount Nursing Home. 

What underpinned John's work was his rock-solid faith, which arose from his knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He had discovered Jesus for himself through the Billy Graham Crusades. He then worked in the London City Mission for 13 years as an evangelist attached to Anglican churches in West London, and later as a vicar in inner-city Liverpool. On his arrival here in Buckfastleigh he guided the church through the painful decisions of rebuilding after the fire at Holy Trinity. Although John left school without formal qualifications he worked hard to train as a minister and his delight was to teach others from the Bible to know and discover the love of Jesus. What we have lost is a very wise and brave man. Please remember Penny and his family at this sad time.

The Memorial Celebration Service for the 
Rev. John Rowland took place 
at St Luke's Church, Buckfastleigh at 2:30pm on Tuesday 18th October