Reverend Simon Carver has given his final service after a 32-year career in Christian ministry.

The minister spent 17 years at Dagnall Street Baptist Church, but retired following a "heartfelt farewell" on Sunday, September 3.

In his final sermon, Reverend Carver reflected on his time at school - where he "had mixed reports" - and his time studying physics/metals and material science at Aston University.

During his studies, he became involved with - and subsequently led - the university's Christian Union.

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Following his first job at a London architectural metalworking firm, he made the decision to retrain into ministry in 1991.

He then obtained a master's degree in theology and a diploma in pastoral theology from the University of Oxford's Regent’s Park College.

Herts Advertiser: “It’s with joy and sadness that we bid farewell to Reverend Simon Carver.“It’s with joy and sadness that we bid farewell to Reverend Simon Carver. (Image: Dagnall Street Baptist Church)

He arrived in St Albans having been a minister at Oxford's New Road Baptist Church for 12 years.

Chris Penn, church secretary at Dagnall Street Baptist Church, said: "It’s with joy and sadness that we bid farewell to Reverend Simon Carver.

"His ministry, friendship and support has been at the heart of our church for almost two decades.

                                                                                            

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"Under his stewardship, we have celebrated 300 years of St Albans Baptists worshipping in Dagnall Street, navigated the pandemic, with a shift to online ministry, welcomed a host of new members and baptisms, seen weddings, funerals and been kept up to date with the highs and lows of his beloved Brentford Football Club."

During his last service, Reverend Rosemary Fletcher - former superintendent minister of St Albans and Welwyn Methodist Circuit - paid tribute to Simon and the work he has done across churches of all denominations.

This included his role as Free Church Chaplin at the Cathedral and as a founding member of the Winter Beds scheme.

Toby Odesola, who also joined the church with his family as a child in 2006, took the opportunity to exact revenge for participating in many children's services, in varying costumes, by having Simon dress up this time. 

Reverend Simon Carver will now be looking to enjoy his retirement with wife Catriona, their three children and five grandchildren.

Dagnall Street Baptist Church now begins its search for a new minister.