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

http://www.stlukes.buckfastleigh.org
GRID REF: SX7366  

REVEREND JOHN ROWLAND FUND

For more details 
CONTACT
Jan Young  
0772841438 

Or  
Jenny Holton

The PCC discussed the idea of a permanent memorial for the life of  John, a much loved and respected Vicar of this Parish.  

It has been agreed that John would have wished to have a “living memorial” rather than a static one in the form of a fund. 

This will be used to support local people attending Bible training, children and teens attending Christian summer camps, where they receive Bible Study and similar such training, (e.g. potential Lay Readers etc.) 

PCC members will personally make donations to start the fund and are inviting members of the congregation, businesses and the community in general and other Christian based organisations to join in keeping John’s memory alive by donating to his “Living Memorial” 

Anyone wishing to make a donation should make their cheques payable to 
Buckfastleigh PCC until the Trust Fund can be officially set up.

Thank you.

Rev. John Rowland 1947-2011

We were all stunned and saddened by the sudden death of our vicar, Reverend John Rowland in October 2011. 

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 2011.