The congregations of churches in Holywell, Greenfield and Gorsedd will gather to welcome a new priest on Sunday (29 March).

The Revd Philip Chew is joining the Estuary and Mountain Mission Area and will be licensed during a special service in St Peter’s Church in Holywell by the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron and the Archdeacon of St Asaph, the Venerable Andy Grimwood.

Ordained in the Diocese of Blackburn in 1998, Philip served as a curate in Chorley and as a vicar in Burnley and Blackburn before joining the Church in Wales in 2010 as Rector of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llangynhafal, Llanychan, Llanynys, and Llanarmon yn Iâl. He was also Mission Area Leader of Dyffryn Clwyd. In 2019 Philip returned to Blackburn diocese to be Vicar of St Nicholas, Ribby with Wrea, St Matthew, Ballam and St Michael’s, Weeton.

Bishop Gregory Cameron said: “I am delighted to welcome Philip back to the diocese where he had a successful ministry in the Ruthin area some years ago. Philip is a priest with a passion for the Gospel and an innovative approach to ministry. I’m sure his gifts will be well received in Holywell.”

Philip is married with two adult daughters. His hobbies have always revolved around music, both secular and religious. He also enjoys writing, having published music over many years, and his book, ‘Altar Ego’: Tales of the Punk Vicar sells well on Amazon and other well-known sites.

The service of welcome for the Revd Philip Chew will take place at 3.30pm on Sunday 29 March at St Peter’s Church in Holywell.