A correspondent writes:

THE Revd Brian Stevenson’s ministry was characterised by a desire to communicate the gospel in a clear, relatable way, overlain with good humour and the occasional prop.

Born in 1934 in Padiham, Lancashire, Brian started his faith journey early: his mother died shortly after giving birth to him and his twin sister, and so the children received emergency baptism at Burnley General Hospital. While he was brought up by a practising Roman Catholic stepmother, it was at a church school — whose head teacher and staff were seen in church every week — where his Christian faith and call to ministry in the Church of England were nurtured.

Brian’s desire to enter ministry was ignited by a convention at the parish church in 1942, led by the Vicar’s uncle, the Rt Revd Bernard Heywood, who had recently retired as Bishop of Ely. Brian recalled a gospel message that left him, in his own words, spellbound.

Having left school at 15 with no formal education, Brian was apprenticed as a plasterer, and, on completion of the apprenticeship, was called up for National Service in the RAF the day after he turned 21. But he continued patient study for his Reader’s examination, and was licensed as a lay Reader by the Bishop of Blackburn, Dr Walter Baddeley, in 1957, at Cleveleys Parish Church.

Although a priest by calling, Brian had a firm commitment to public service, and a conviction that there should be some Christian input into local government. He was elected to Lancashire County Council in 1963, and was appointed a lay magistrate in 1966, sitting on the bench at Reedley Magistrates’ Court. He stood for parliament in the Fylde South constituency in the 1964 General Election; he was not too disappointed by his defeat, though retained a keen interest in history and politics throughout his life.

Brian was a grateful and early beneficiary of the C of E’s decision to introduce a part-time ordination course, and, in 1976, he joined the North West Ordination Course based in Manchester, which required travel to Manchester Cathedral every Monday evening for three years.

He was ordained deacon in 1979, and served his title at St Leonard’s, Padiham. Believed to be the first incumbent to hold no university degree, he was appointed Vicar of St Paul’s, Low Moor, Clitheroe, in 1982, before moving, in 1989, to St Silas’s, Blackburn, where he served until his retirement in 2001.

Brian was never afraid to take difficult decisions; he had a firm view that church leaders should set an example. He valued the place of a well-led church in the well-being of the community, and was justifiably proud of having overseen the growth of his congregations, including their youth organisations. He also chaired the diocesan board for social responsibility.

He continued his ministry for 19 years in retirement, at St Bartholomew’s and St John’s, Great Harwood, Immanuel Church, Oswaldtwistle, and St James’s, Accrington.

Brian leaves his widow, Marion, sons Peter and Adrian, daughters-in-law Lynne and Claire, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a sister.
 

The Revd Brian Stevenson died on 7 November, aged 90.