Like everything else, the Church has had to change with the times, but always at its heart has been getting out into the community.
In Shropshire the servants of God have a large and widely spread patch to contend with, and for newcomers there is the business of getting to know the parish and the people. Then there are all those other things which are part and parcel of serving the community and fostering community spirit, with events like church fetes, coffee mornings, and various other fundraising efforts.
A busy old time then. So let’s give an appreciative nod to those vicars, rectors, and other stalwarts of the Church with this selection which remembers some of those from yesteryear and celebrates the part they have played, and continue to play in an evolving world.
Did you catch the remarkable story of the 1961 tractor rescue and the emotional reunion that followed 41 years later? See it here
- You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Shropshire and Mid Wales - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here
9. The Rev Bridget Woollard broke new ground
In 1994 the Rev Bridget Woollard won the fight to be ordained as a fully-fledged priest and was on a three-week countdown to take her long-awaited place in the Church. She had come to Telford in 1992 as a Church of England deacon to take up a new post in the town working with local industry and commerce | Shropshire Star archive
10. Wem's new Oversight minister in 1975
In 1975 the Rev C Raymond Wyatt was inducted as Oversight minister of Wem United Reformed Church. Mr Wyatt lived in Aston Road, Wem, and was previously minister of the Forest of Dean group of churches | Shropshire Star archive
11. Tucking in, all in a good cause
Methodist minister the Rev Maurice Wright tucks in to a pancake at Wem Methodist United Reformed Church's pancake day lunch, which raised cash for charity. Lady members of the church were run off their feet as the church hall was filled to capacity during the event in February 1993. Fifty pence was all it cost for either a sweet or savoury pancake, with the money going to Hope House Children's Respite Hospice. | Shropshire Star archive