Canon John Clayton is thought to be unique in the Church of England as he is celebrating his 105th birthday as well as 80 years of ordained ministry.
Bishop Nick led a special service at St Giles’ Bramhope in Leeds. He said, “Canon John Clayton has had an extraordinarily long and faithful ministry, and I imagine this will be the one and only time I conduct such a service.
“The dates are all remarkable – he was born in Leeds in 1911, so he was five when the Battle of the Somme took place. He was ordained before the Beatles were born, and he had retired before I left school.”
Vicar of St Giles, the Revd Janice Smith (left), says, “What an inspiration Canon Clayton is. He is a hugely valued member of St Giles, and until the age of 100 was still actively involved in church services, preaching and leading Holy Communion.
“The church was full for his service, and people came from far and wide, including Otley from where he retired in 1976. One lady said he’d married her and her husband there 55 years ago!”
Canon John says, “I have loved working for the church, and I’ve never been bored - people are very interesting, occasionally a little naughty and more often than not very lovable.”
He says one of the things he’s most proud of is being involved in the installation of the first cross on Otley Chevin. In 1968, wanting to raise awareness of the Easter message, a group of churches erected a 32ft high cross on Otley Chevin, and the tradition has continued ever since.
He adds, “I was part of a group who helped get the project off the ground and I was privileged to preach the sermon on that first Easter. Some people didn’t think it would work, but more than 200 came the first time we hauled it up and, nearly 50 years later, they’re still going today, offering a sign of hope over the town each year. It shows that sometimes if you take a bit of a risk it pays off.”
A party was held after the service, with photos going back to John Clayton’s childhood, and he was keen to blow out the candles on the cake himself.
Canon John Clayton studied at Leeds University and Wells Theological College.
He was ordained at Wakefield Cathedral in 1935 and served his first curacy at St John the Evangelist, Dewsbury Moor.