Hundreds at funeral of Shropshire church minister
More than 350 people turned out for the funeral service of a Shropshire priest who died from lung cancer, despite being a non-smoker.
A requiem mass was held in St Mary's Church, Bridgnorth, for the Reverend Angela Rogers, who died peacefully at home on August 3.
Reverend Simon Cawdell, team rector for the Bridgnorth Team Ministry and Morville Group, said the death of Mrs Rogers, who was 62, had been a shock to the church and the community.
"Her's was a life of practical service, which was greatly appreciated by all who knew her," he said.
"She rejoiced in being a woman of the people in the town and was a hugely popular figure. She had a very practical spirituality and a profound faith, which sustained her to the very end of her life with us.
"The adventure of her continuing life with God was something she looked forward to. It was very poignant to speak with her shortly before she died, and to know that she was at peace."
Reverend Liz Angell, team vicar of the group, said Mrs Rogers loved the people of Bridgnorth and they loved her.
"She was a very good and true friend to so many, both churchgoers and those who didn't come to church," she said. "She would turn up at church in her bike leathers and was always faithfully supported by her husband, Steve."
Reverend John Deakin, who had worked closely with Mrs Rogers, said: "I was deeply saddened by Angela's death. She was an excellent preacher, whose message was often spiced with humour and her conducting of worship was clear and penetrating."
Bob Curtis, churchwarden at St Mary's Church, in Quatford, said: "Angela became our vicar in 2006. She instigated a family service with a target of increasing the congregation for that service to 30, which she did on several occasions. Not a mean feat at 9am on a Sunday morning. Angela produced instruments so everyone could accompany the last hymn with gusto."
Prebendary Michael Whittock, Assistant Archdeacon, on behalf of the Diocese of Hereford, said: "I was very much aware of the love and affection the people of Bridgnorth had for Angela. This was not only because she was Bridgnorth born and bred, but also because of the warmth and vibrancy of her personality and the commitment and love she brought to her ministry as a lay person and in the last 14 years as a priest."
