John Frederick Arthur Williams - Vicar of Highfield Church 1966-1990

The sad death of John Williams on Monday 22 March has caused many of us to reflect on his incredible and influential role in the life of our Church. Highfield Church in 1966 would be hard to recognise as being the same Highfield Church that we now know. John Williams was appointed with explicit instructions from the Bishop to make the parish more relevant to the University in its midst and to increase the role of mission in the parish.  It was John’s firm belief that this was his calling to Highfield.  He undertook the commission with dedication and inspiration; seeds were sown that soon produced green shoots, and eventually flowers and an abundance of fruit. To do justice to this transformation is impossible here, but imagine a church without homegroups, mission partners, a pastoral care group, a prayer ministry, a music group, a creche…  and the list goes on. John also had a vision for changing the way we used the church buildings, so the first reordering began under his supervision in the 1970s. The care and attention to detail was one of John’s hallmarks, sometimes to extremes! But above all he was a loving and caring pastor of his flock.  John’s thoughtful and deeply held conviction that he was being led by God to serve the parish will be how we remember him. This legacy is within our midst now. 

Ann Williams and her family would like the Church family to know that John died peacefully at home with his family around him. As you may know he had been in hospital for a short time, but was able to be transferred home on Saturday to be cared for in his last few days. Ann is very grateful for our prayers and support of Church family, and for the ease of all the final arrangements. 

John's funeral service will be available to watch on www.stjamesbythepark.org/johnwilliams at 1.30pm on 1 April. The family would very much like those who remember John to share any memories of him also on their page.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.  2 Cor 1:3 to 5