The first Ordinations in Lancashire of female candidates to the priesthood took place in Lancaster Priory and at Blackpool St John's in 1994.

And at a joyous service on Sunday, the 30th anniversary of that special day was celebrated by our Diocese with a service held at the Priory and attended by many from across the County including Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn; Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, Anglican Bishop of Lancaster and the Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Abi Mills.

The special service (view and/or download the Order of Service here) was organised by Rev. Leah Vasey Saunders, Vicar of Lancaster and her team and was to give thanks to the first pioneers who were ordained priest in 1994 and especially in this Diocese.

The full list of 13 ordinands from 1994 is Dorothy Hankey; Elizabeth Jordan; Brenda Parkinson; Sr Mary Jo Thomas (RIP); Margaret Jenkinson and Patricia Impey - all ordained at St John’s, Blackpool - and Kathleen Allen; Frances Edwards (RIP); Brenda Harding; Janet Heil; Jessica Turner; Rachel Watts (nee Simper) and Ann Wood - all ordained in the Priory.

On Sunday there was a Celebration of the Eucharist and the Celebrant was one of that first cohort, Rev. Canon Brenda Harding.

Brenda was supported by Rev. Jane Atkinson, Vicar of St John’s Little Thornton (who was in the first cohort of priests to be ordained in Blackburn Cathedral in 2014) and Kaarina Leong, who will be ordained Deacon in June 2024.

Bishop Jill commented today: “Sunday’s service was a celebration of the rich variety of gifts ordained women have brought to the Diocese of Blackburn in the 30 years since 1994. As my colleague, Bishop Philip wrote at the time of his announcement as Bishop of Blackburn: ‘Female clergy in Blackburn Diocese are fully and equally part of the Diocese and have a ministry that is grace-filled and transformative’.

"As a second-generation woman priest and bishop, I am especially grateful for these pioneers who went ahead of me; even before I had even thought of a calling to the priesthood or, for that matter, to be a bishop.

“I have loved seeing women across Lancashire and beyond find their voice, just as they are, and contribute in church and society at all levels. And it’s been a privilege to find my own voice as a senior woman over the last six years since returning to my home County of Lancashire to become Bishop of Lancaster. I am grateful for all - men and women - who have cheered me on.”

Rev. Kate Massey delivered the sermon on Sunday. Kate is Vicar of St Paul's Church, Stockingford in Nuneaton. She has been Dean of Women's Ministry for Coventry Diocese and served two terms as Chair of the National Association of Diocesan Advisers in Women’s Ministry (NADAWM).

In her sermon Kate said: "It is a joy to celebrate this day not just with you, but your friends and colleagues – some of whom find themselves with different theological beliefs. Blackburn Diocese is a place where the differences we hold in our national church are made visible as ordained women minister in partnership with a Diocesan Bishop who supports them, values them deeply but cannot yet ordain them.

"And my question today is, in what ways might this diocese be a gift to the wider Church of England? Well, perhaps the gift is in that very visibility ...

"The question that Blackburn Diocese raises by its very existence - how can women flourish in a diocese where some cannot ordain them nor receive sacraments from their hands – is a question that the whole church would do well to ponder. Because the question that exists here is found in all sorts of ways throughout the Church of England.

"And yet, your gift is more than making this question visible – it is how, in your shared life and ministry, you answer it. Speaking to Bishop Philip before coming here today, he said 'it’s all about relationship'. And he is absolutely right."

• Read and download Kate's full sermon here 

Dean of Women’s Ministry for Blackburn Diocese, Rev. Lucie Lunn summed up the celebration saying: “Thirty years is, quite literally, a lifetime for some of the younger women being ordained into the priesthood today, but in the history of the Church it is hardly a moment at all.

“So this anniversary gives us real reason to celebrate the vocation and faithfulness of all women called to the ordained ministry in the Church of England. The contribution of those first called and ordained remains an example for us all, as we look back with gratitude and ahead with hope.”

After the service had concluded everyone mingled and enjoyed good conversation, pink fizz, music and a sumptuous cake made by congregation member Grazyna Hilton. The cake depicted a bundle of Church Times newspapers covering the first ordinations in 1994.

Pictures, top to bottom

Very top of page (l-r) Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Abi Mills, Rev. Leah Vasey-Saunders, Rev. Kate Massey, Rev. Patricia Impey, Kaarina Leong, Rev. Janey Heil, Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, Rev. Brenda Harding, Rev. Rachel Watts, Rev. Jane Atkinson, Rev. Jessica Turner

Bishop Jill, centre with green, surrounded by women clergy who attended the service

Bishop Philip. centre, and Bishop Jill in the procession at the start of the service

Rev. Kate Massey delivered the sermon 

The stunning 'Church Times' cake made for the occasion  

Ronnie Semley, May 2024