Vicar’s last service as he bids farewell
A popular and very well respected vicar who has worked in Bath for the last 37 years will bid farewell to his congregation during his final service on Sunday. The Rev Alan Bain, 70, has been the vicar of St Phillip and St James, Frome Road, since 1981 and in that time has made many links with different countries through regular exchange visits from his congregation. But he will be taking his last worship at the church he has led for more than three decades this Sunday. The married father of three, who has a degree in civil engineering, worked as a civil Engineer for 10 years before training for the Anglican ministry. He studied Theology at St John’s Theological College in Nottingham and Nottingham University before ordination in 1976. His first job was in Wakefield. Originally from South East London, The Rev Bain, who has helped many charities abroad in Pakistan, Africa and East Asia, moved to Bath in 1981 after receiving a phone call to work at St Phillip and St James. His work abroad included disaster relief after suicide bombs in Pakistan, sending aid after the tsunami in India, providing resources through containers during Apartied in South Africa, teaching English in the Ukraine, and having regular Czech teams to work with them in Odd Down. Members of the church have also built and sustained a school in Uganda, refurbished an orphanage in India and helped build a youth centre in the Ukraine. The Rev Bain said: “It’s been a fast and an exciting journey and I have never grown tired of the ministry here which has had so many different aspects. “Odd Down has been a great place to bring up our family and I have grown to love the residents and the friendliness of the area. I have seen the church grow and engage with its community and across the world, as well as having so much fun in my assemblies in St Philip’s School. “Broadcasting with the BBC on a Sunday was a great opportunity to share many of the amazing things the church is up to in the South West and my travels and our partnerships abroad have brought an outward looking emphasis and a richness to our life together. “All that’s happened at the church has been through having a strongly supportive, hardworking staff and voluntary team around us. Sandra and I will miss them and the church enormously, but look forward to more time to continue to develop the mission we’ve started.” The Rev Bain is now looking forward to having a couple of weeks off to enjoy his retirement and his move to Combe Down before continuing charitable work in the countries he made ties with during his time at the church. Tim Conroy, administrator of the church, said: “I’ve worked with Alan for over 25 years and it’s been quite an adventure. “Alan has continually brought fresh ways to take the Gospel out to the community and many parts of the world and inspired many church members and myself to do the same. “He and Sandra have been a great support to my family, as well as marrying us and baptising my children.” The Rev Bain will enjoy a farewell party on Saturday from 4pm to 8pm and will be holding his final church service which is open to all on Sunday at 10.30am. Fourteen South African friends will be travelling over to join him for his retirement and will be leading the singing at the service.