New priest for Town Church

Monday 19 December 2022

Guernsey's Town Church - also known as the parish church of St Peter Port - has a new priest, with the Reverend Penny Graysmith BA MPhil taking on the role.

She will begin her new ministry at the Town Church on 1 March 2023, until then she will continue in her current role as Chaplain of Guernsey Prison.

Reverend Graysmith's husband, Reverend Peter Graysmith is also taking on new responsibilities in 2023.

He will take on an extended role as Chaplain of Elizabeth College and he will continue to be licensed as an associate priest in the parish of St Peter Port (the Town Church). However, Revd Peter Graysmith will cease to be Mission Priest in the parishes of St Peter Port and St John the Evangelist on a date to be agreed.

Pictured: Guernsey's Dean, the Reverend Tim Barker. 

Guernsey's Dean announced the new appointments yesterday with congregations informed of the news during mass. 

The Reverend Tim Barker said that the changes have been made following a previous announcement made in September that the offices of Rector of St Peter Port and Vicar of St John’s church had been vacant since 12 August 2022, when the previous incumbent had been signed off work.

Reverend Barker said careful consideration has been given to the future shape of ministry in the two churches, and he consulted the vice deans and the Deanery of Guernsey’s Pastoral Committee, as well as the Bishop of Salisbury and His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor in making the decisions. 

He said: "I have decided that the two parishes will be best served by making separate appointments to St Peter Port (the Town Church) and to St John’s church. 

"Whilst other conversations about the long-term future of the two churches continue, I am delighted to be able to announce that the Reverend Penny Graysmith has been appointed as priest in charge of St Peter Port (the Town Church)."