A BOURNEMOUTH church has a priest again after a three-year interregnum.

The development marks a new era for St Francis of Assisi Church in Bournemouth.

At a special service recently, Father Adrian Pearce from Jersey was licensed as Priest in Charge of St Ambrose in Westbourne and St Francis, Charminster, while Fr David Wastie was licensed as associate priest of the two churches but with special responsibility for St Francis as its Parish Priest.

Both churches were packed for the occasion.

Officiating were the Bishops of Richborough and Southampton; the Archdeacon of Bournemouth, the Rev Peter Rouch; and the area dean, the Rev Andy McPherson.

Some 20 local and visiting clergy also attended.

The service began at St Ambrose in Westbourne, where Fathers David and Adrian visited the font to symbolise commitment to renewal and growth and the pulpit, to symbolise commitment to the word of God.

The sermon was given by the Bishop of Richborough before the licensing.

The congregation then moved to St Francis, with some travelling on a Bournemouth City Sightseeing Open Top bus, provided free by Tim Saunders.

In a letter to parishioners later, Father David said: “So many people have said how warm was the welcome at the licensing, a mighty compliment for you all.

“Now the challenge is to take that warmth of welcome and the joyful message of the Gospel of Christ Jesus out from the wall of the church and into the community.”