Market Drayton reverend's calling still strong after 72 years

The 87-year-old has been a lay reader, a curate and a vicar over the decades, and says his calling remains as strong as it was when he first attended church all those years ago.

"It's been a great life," said the Reverend Keay from his home in Market Drayton, where he lives with wife, Rita.

"I've been blessed with good health and I've been able to give something back after taking so much from life."

Mr Keay is still involved in north Shropshire church services through the AMICA benefice, made up of churches from Ash, Moreton Say, Ightfield, Calverhall and Adderley.

Last month they thanked him for his dedication by holding a celebration in his honour.

"It was such a surprise to see so many people there, there were people from churches I haven't been at for years."

The day, June 28, marked the 35th anniversary of his ordination and featured music chosen by himself, as well as the choir from Cheswardine parish where he was Incumbent for a decade.

"They sang the anthem which was sung at my first service at a priest, and they also got hold of a song that had been written for our Ruby wedding anniversary.

"It was a great surprise."

In fact, that wedding anniversary would never have happened had Mr Keay not made the decision to attend church as a teenager.

He said: "I was 15 and never really that interested in the church, even when a school tutor suggested I get involved I was never all that bothered.

"But then suddenly one day I just had to get confirmed.

"It was as if someone had sat me up and made me realise I needed to go to church."

Beginning his church involvement in Norton Canes, Staffordshire, Mr Keay became a lay reader, who could read parts of services.

And during this time, he taught at Sunday school.

"And that's where I met Rita. If I hadn't got into the church I may never have met her.

"We both taught on the Sundays and we got to know each other and that's really how it all happened.

"We've been together 63 years now."

Later, the couple moved to Penkridge, where Mr Keay continued as a lay reader, but he also became more involved in the parish as a whole.

He was ordained in 1979 and three years later the couple moved to Rugeley.

He said: "That was probably the most difficult time during my time with the church, because they hadn't had a minister at the church before, so I was building it up from scratch really.

"We held old town musicals and different things to get people coming along, and we held fish and chip suppers, that sort of thing."

And after such a long time in the church, Mr Keay has seen a lot of changes, not all for the better.

"Now we have a clergyman who has to look after up to five churches in the area and that can be really difficult. It used to be one or two.

"And the numbers have fallen dramatically, as older people in the congregation die, we don't seem to have as many new members coming through.

"I think it's because there are too many distractions nowadays.

"It's the same with Sunday School. There are many things for children to do on a Sunday so we don't get to build up a good school."

And while Mr Keay believes bringing families into the church can help them stick together, the future for the church could be another matter entirely.

"I can honestly see that some church buildings may have to close down if they can't get the income.

"I do wonder whether it could all go back to home churches with people meeting at their own houses, which would be a nice community idea."

But for now, Mr Keay still focuses on the church as it is today - and his favourite service, which is communion.

"I do really feel like that is when I am closest to Jesus," he said. "And that is what makes it the one I enjoy most."