The Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS writes:
KELHAM THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE closed more than 50 years ago, but it left an indelible impression upon the priests whom it trained and none more so than Canon Brian Pearce, who has died in the 60th year of his priesthood.
Brian was 16 when he entered the Cottage at Kelham for his pre-theological course. He undertook his National Service and returned to Kelham for five years of theological training combined with the monastic life and a rigorous daily regime. When asked about college life, he said that he learned the art of having a cold shower without getting wet.
Brian’s years at Kelham gave him the priestly formation that was to sustain him in a long and faithful ministry. It was years later, and after they had died, that he learned that his training had been paid for by two sisters from his home parish of St Andrew’s, Fulham. Embracing the college’s emphasis on a disciplined spiritual life, a pastoral heart and missionary zeal, Brian became much loved as a larger-than-life character who wanted people to laugh and feel God’s love. On a pilgrimage, he offered to sing at a Roman amphitheatre to demonstrate the acoustics; his song, “My old man’s a dustman”.
Ordained deacon in 1964, Brian served his title at St Matthew’s, Smethwick, where he met Margaret, who was to become both his wife and his partner in ministry. They then moved to St Nicholas’s, Kings Norton. In 1980, Bishop Freddy Temple, the Bishop of Bristol invited Brian to help to lead one of the Local Ecumenical Projects (now Partnerships) in Swindon, and so he became Team Rector of Dorcan, Covingham, Eldene, and Liden. Then in 1991, he became Vicar of Withywood Shared Church, and served as Rural Dean of Bedminster.
In 1998, Brian was appointed Vicar of Fishponds, in Bristol, and an Honorary Canon of Bristol Cathedral. He and Margaret retired to Monmouth in 2005 and were much involved at St Thomas the Martyr. They helped to run “Tommy’s Tiddlers”, a group for children and parents, for which they made large quantities of marmalade for sale, each jar labelled with a smile emoji and a blessing.
Brian leaves behind Margaret, his wife of 56 years, sons, Andrew and John, and five grandchildren.
Canon Brian Pearce died on 14 January, aged 85.