​Worthing church celebrates priest’s life of dedication

Father Tony Davies has served God and his communities for 50 years, and continues to do so at the age of 77.

He came to St Andrew the Apostle in Worthing, one of the smallest parishes in the Diocese of Chichester, after serving in Southwark as the Archdeacon of Croydon for 18 years.

Father Tony said: "When I was a boy, I thought if I get to 70 and look back regretting that I didn’t follow my vocation, I will consider my life wasted.

"Well, I’m way passed 70 and have no regrets! The priesthood I exercise has never been for my benefit, it is for the People of God, and it has been a privilege to live my life for that."

His life of dedication and the 50th anniversary of his ordination will be celebrated with a special service at St Andrew the Apostle on June 30 at 10.30am and a reception after to salute his remarkable achievements.

In particular, the church will celebrate Father Tony's time in Worthing and his support for St Andrew's School, through presiding over services and chairing the PCC from which governors are appointed.

John Renz said: "While we may rejoice in his past, it has always been the future that matters to Father Tony.

He remains the cornerstone of St Andrew the Apostle in Worthing. Without regard to his own retirement and well into his 70s, he holds our community together, wielding a banner of hope and care to all those who need it."

His early vocation from the age of ten has taken Father Tony to many places, starting with his early education at Brasted College in Kent, to curate in Hartlepool and Wandsworth, vicar in Walworth, rural dean of Southwark and Newington, Archdeacon of Croydon and Bishop’s advisor for hospital chaplaincy.

When he retired as Archdeacon of Croydon on September 15, 2011, at the age of 65, he was the longest-serving Archdeacon in the Church of England.