Bells ring out as Frome welcomes new vicar to St John’s Church

Bells rang out throughout the town as more than 100 people from all sections of the community gathered to welcome a new vicar to St John’s Church.

Reverend Seamus Hargrave plans to introduce worship sessions aimed at the working community and revive the ancient art of bell-ringing. He was welcomed at a special event on Tuesday 4th February, marking the beginning of his ministry in Frome following the retirement of Reverend Colin Alsbury last year after 21 years of dedicated service.

Welcoming Seamus were Frome’s mayor, Cllr Andy Jones, and other key representatives from the town, including Frome Medical Practice, members of the business community and pupils from St John’s CE School, who presented Seamus with self-portraits.

“It was a wonderful event, and we had over 100 people in the church, which was impressive,” explained Seamus.

“The welcoming service used to be called licensing/installation because you are literally being given the licence to begin your ministry. It’s significant because it means you now have the authority of the parish to exercise ministry.”

St John’s has been in a state of ‘vacancy’ following Rev Alsbury’s retirement, and Seamus says the church was fortunate to have filled the role so quickly, as vacancies can sometimes last for up to four years.

“I previously worked as a vicar in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, and given that my previous ministry was in rural Wales, Frome is a lot bigger than I expected,” says Seamus. “I am very impressed by the diversity of the place and the strong community spirit. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and friendly. I knew one or two of my neighbours at best before, but here, people have made a point of stopping me and inviting me over, and it’s been such a warm welcome.”

As part of his plans to integrate into the community, Seamus says St John’s will be offering a weekly lunchtime communion on Fridays for anyone who is working.

“We are going to have it at 12.30pm to encourage people working in the area to come on their lunch break. It’s a way of offering up their worries and anxieties over the week. Afterwards, we will have a bring-and-share lunch.

“Work can be isolating, and we want to embrace that chaplaincy role, with St John’s being so ideally placed in the centre of Frome.”

For Lent, the church will also be offering morning prayer on Mondays to further engage the working community. The session will start at 8.45am. “People will then have those bookends at the beginning and end of their week,” explained Seamus.

Other plans include starting a choir, hosting Evensong, and encouraging people to take part in bell-ringing to reinstate the ancient art at the church.

“We want to bring back bell-ringing before our services. People don’t necessarily have to stay for the service. St John’s has been here since the 6th century, and for me, bell-ringing is an invitation to the community. Its melodiousness and unobtrusive nature make it a way for the parish church to say, ‘We are here for you, and we are offering something if you want to come.’ It’s a sign of welcome to anyone who is interested.”

As Seamus settles into the Frome community, he said he was ‘incredibly touched’ that some former parishioners from Wales attended the licensing on 4th February.

“It was a very long journey for many of them, and having their support as I step into the next stage of my ministry meant the world.”

To enquire about joining the choir, email rosemarymccormick@hotmail.com.

For any other queries, contact rev.seamushargrave@stjohnsfrome.com or call the Vicarage on 01373 433933.

Pictured: Rev Seamus Hargrave with Mayor Andy Jones

Photo credit Frome Town Council