It was a very special moment for the wonderful Dorothy Hopwood when she was (finally) confirmed in The Church of England … a mere 92 years after first being baptised!

The Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev. Philip North, confirmed Dorothy - who was then able to take Holy Communion immediately after. Dorothy, 92, of Helmshore in Lancashire, is a faithful parishioner of St Thomas’ Church, Musbury.

Bishop Philip said: “Jesus Christ is for everyone and it is never too late to say yes to his love. Very often we confirm children as they make promises of faith.

"It has been very beautiful therefore to confirm Dorothy at the age of 92. It is a sign to everyone that Jesus is offering them fullness of life, and it is never too late to say yes to that offer.”

A central figure in the local community, Dorothy is described by her parish priest, Fr David Stephenson, as ‘always a source of fun and always a smiling face’.  

She has lived in Helmshore for her whole life and as a girl she attended St Thomas' even though her mother, who was Methodist, went down the road to her own church. This was one of the reasons Dorothy came to miss out on Confirmation when her friends were being prepared by the Vicar of the day.

Fr Stephenson added: “Dorothy has continued to keep her faith at the centre of her life, although her high regard for the Church and for the Eucharist has meant that she has felt unable to receive Holy Communion, until now of course."

“She is a resident at Raven Croft, a community of mostly elderly folk who live in bungalows and share facilities in their ‘Community Room’. I go in once a month to celebrate the Eucharist for residents, but Dorothy has never felt able to come."

“She was thrilled about the Confirmation and wanted the service to be in the Community Room, which is so important to her and her neighbours. It was there, then, that after waiting for around 80 years, Dorothy received Communion for the first time from Bishop Philip after her Confirmation.”

“The Confirmation service and Eucharist was followed by lunch; it was a great celebration for the whole community.”

Dorothy's decision to be confirmed at 92 prompted huge interest from the media including ...

• Listen to an interview with Dorothy and Father David on BBC Radio Lancashire (listen from 1h 41m and 50s
• Church Times
• Lancashire Telegraph 
• Premier Christian News

Ronnie Semley
15 March 2019