A new vicar has been appointed for Kirkbymoorside with Gillamoor, Farndale, Bransdale and Great Edstone

Reverend Paul Sunderland has taken up the post in succession to the Rev Mark Brosnan, who retired in the spring of 2023.

Rev Sunderland, 45, was ordained in 2019 and has served since then as Assistant Curate in Richmond, North Yorkshire, in the Diocese of Leeds.

Rev Sunderland is married to Jeanette with adult sons Isaac, Jack and Jordan, two ‘four-legged boys’, Ralf and Sydney, and granddaughter Scarlett.

“I was introduced to church by a Great Aunt, Joyce, who willingly allowed a very giddy three-year-old to accompany her,” said Rev Sunderland.

“The congregation were thrilled to have a young boy running around and asking the kind of questions that only a child can ask.

“I grew in age whilst attending All Saints Church in Castleford, and grew in faith thanks to the amazing ministry of the Rev Canon Edward Gee.”

Rev Sunderland trained for ordination with St Hild College after working in the banking industry, and says that through serving in Richmond and the surrounding villages and hamlets he has fully embraced all that it means to be a rural priest, and he looks forward to continuing to grow in that ministry.

He said: “I can’t wait to shout it from the rooftops, and I can’t wait to get going!”

Rev Sunderland will be welcomed into his post by the Bishop of Whitby, the Rt Rev Paul Ferguson, in a public service beginning at 6pm on Sunday, February 25 in All Saints’ Church, Kirkbymoorside.