Church bosses have appointed a new vicar for the Clayton-le-Moors and Altham parishes.
Rev Toby Webber said he was ‘delighted’ to accept the role in running All Saint’s and Altham St James churches.
It follows the retirement of Rev John Tranter nearly 18 months ago.
The father-of-one, who has been the Bishop’s Chaplain in the Diocese of Blackburn for the past three years, will take up the vicarage position at the start of September.
He has previously been the priest in charge of St Aidan’s church in Bamber Bridge for six years.
Rev Webber said he is already familiar with both churches and the community and is ‘really looking forward’ to getting started.
He said: “It came about through doing quite a bit of cover work over the last year or so at both All Saint’s and St James’ churches since John Tranter retired and David Bacon moved on.
“I was doing some help on the Sunday mornings and that’s how I got to know the churches and I was encouraged to think about applying.
“When it was first advertised I thought it was a bit soon for me to leave here but when I started thinking about it it seemed to be a relatively easy decision to make.
“I have been very impressed, particularly how well they have done given it’s quite a long time since Rev Tranter left and the way everybody held together. It’s a really positive sign.”
Rev Webber, 39, will move to the parish with his wife Rebecca and the nine-and-a-half-month old daughter Annabel.
He said: “I want to carry on building on the work Rev Tranter did, engaging with the community and the people in the churches to deepen their own faith and commitment.
“He left both churches is strong, healthy positions.
“All Saint’s is quite a forward thinking church with two video screens now and there are lovely people at both churches.
“I was told my appointment was welcomed with a big round of applause when it was announced which was really nice.
“I’m really looking forward to it and it will be nice to get stuck into a new community.
“All Saint’s is 175 years old this year and St James’ is over 500 years old. They complement each other very well as they are both of different ages and sizes.”
A welcome service will be held at All Saint’s on Thursday, September 3.
Rennie Pinder, chair of Altham Parish Council, said: “Its absolutely wonderful news that we have got a new vicar.
“We have been without one now for about 18 months and it’s caused quite a few problems.
We welcome him with open arms and hope he fits into the community which I’m sure he will do.”
