A FORMER Tavistock College student has been appointed as the new curate to St Andrew's Church in Whitchurch — the first curate in the village for hundreds of years.
Andrew Williams is due to take up his post next week following his ordination by the Bishop of Exeter this Sunday.
An ex-pupil at Whitchurch Primary School, Andrew studied law at Exeter University after leaving Tavistock College, taking his finals at a law practice in Chancery Lane, London.
He worked as a solicitor with Bond Pearce in Exeter before studying theology at Trinity College in Bristol for two years, in preparation for his ordination.
Andrew said: 'I enjoyed my work with Bond Pearce, they were brilliant and I was very happy there, it was just there was a very real sense of "This has been great until now but there's still something else I should be doing".'
He is married to Elena, whom he met while at university. They have a daughter Katy who is nearly three, and their second child is due on Christmas Day.
Andrew said he felt a 'very real' calling to the church over several years before he made the decision to give up law.
'Although naturally it was a bit of a shock when it actually came to begin training, we both had a very clear sense it was the right thing to do,' he said.
'It was quite remarkable — we don't have a history of clergy in our family.'
He said the church had no idea of his connections with Whitchurch and he never dreamt of starting his new career in his old home village.
'We were completely gobsmacked when they suggested it — Whitchurch hasn't had a curate for hundreds of years. I don't know what the last one did wrong!' he said.
'What the church looks for now are good training parishes — college prepares you so far but you have to get out and drive the car eventually, so to speak.'
He said he is looking forward to working at St Andrews and with the Vicar of Whitchurch, the Rev Simon May.
Andrew said: 'Whitchurch is a thriving church with a growing congregation that works hard in overseas and local aid projects.
'Elena and I are excited to be joining a church that is strongly committed to following Jesus Christ in its life and work.'
The Rev May said: 'Whitchurch is not a traditional training parish, normally curates go to larger parishes.
'It's just the diocese has changed its policy and they have decided this will be a suitable place for Andrew to be trained.
'It will be interesting and good — I am looking forward to having him as a colleague.'