Parishioners welcomed a new vicar to the fold at the church of St Mary the Virgin in Bedfont.
Reverend Philip Smith was instituted as vicar during a service conducted by the archdeacon of Middlesex, the venerable Stephan Welch and the area dean of Hounslow, reverend Richard Frank.
The ceremony was carried out in front of a packed church on Monday (September 14).
Reverend Smith said: “Thank you very much for your warm welcome to Bedfont and I very much look forward to being part of the community here.”
Among the congregation who had gathered to celebrate the occasion were Mayor of Hounslow Nisar Malik, members of reverend Smith's former parish in Yorkshire as well as members of his new flock.
The Area Dean of Hounslow, Reverend Richard Frank, added: "I am delighted to welcome Philip into the deanery as the new Vicar of St Mary's.
"His is an encouraging and forward-looking appointment which will help strengthen the growing contribution of local churches in the name of Jesus to the life of communities across the borough of Hounslow."
The service which began with a reading was held in the 12th century building, the oldest in Hounslow, and followed by the declaration and oath of allegiance.
During the year since the previous vicar, reverend Geoff Price, left to take up new duties in Oxfordshire, St. Mary’s has been led by retired priest, reverend John Congdon, previously vicar of St. John’s in Isleworth, and a chaplain at West Middlesex Hospital.
