Welcome to the Anglican Parish of Nerja and Almuñecar

A Brief History of our Parish

The Anglican Parish of Nerja and Almuñecar started as an offshoot of St George’s Malaga, some 44 years ago, when a group of Anglicans met in the home of Eleanor Payne. The venue moved to the Pepe Rico Restaurant, then to the apartment of Robert and Kathy Holder. In 1992 the congregation in Nerja began to use the Roman Catholic church of San Miguel. (St Michael’s).

In 1982 the Revd Horace Bedlow, the Chaplain of Malaga, conducted 14 services during the year, as well as undertaking some pastoral visiting. Local arrangements were made by Tony Palmer.

The Revd David Cherry took over at Malaga the following year, 1983, and from then two Holy Communion services were held each month in Nerja. He bought a house in Nerja, and the congregations grew much larger than those in Malaga as there were more English speaking residents here.

It was not until 1992 that we became an independent Parish within the Archdeaconry of Gibraltar, when David retired. After a couple of false starts, the Revd John Vellacott arrived in October 1993. At Easter 1994, the Almuñecar congregation was formed, largely due to the effort of churchwarden Col Alan Holifield; sadly, he died shortly after the first service at the Fishermen’s Chapel, where services are now held each Sunday.

John Vellacott received a diocesan grant of £6,000 towards a half-stipend. This reduced annually and disappeared after four years. By this time the Parish was self-supporting, despite suffering the trauma of the death, after a year, of John Vellacott’s successor, the Revd Peter Letford and another year with locums. The Parish was established under Spanish law during Peter’s tenure, in 1997, with the Parish Priest officially being given the title of Rector, which remains so when dealing with Spanish law. The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe however prefers the title Priest-in-Charge.

The Revd Osmond Aisbitt, a retired priest who was on holiday in Spain, offered to help out without any payment after Peter’s sudden death, and this arrangement continued for two years, enabling the Parish to re-establish itself financially, after bearing the huge costs for repatriating its sick priest. “Ossy” and his wife, Anne, organised trips for members of the congregation and visitors which helped to raise some funds. During his time the congregations were encouraged to promise weekly donations, and the Church Shop, in Calle Malaga was purchased by James Moorhead and Alan Butt who then sold it on to the Parish in instalments without charging interest. Win Purkiss and Ada Dyde had started the church’s business venture in second-hand goods, using various short-term available premises for some time, and this was a great leap forward. It was now also possible to hold a weekly Holy Communion service on Wednesdays at 9.30am in Church Shop before start of business.

Along with many fund raising events the Parish has steadily increased its income and along the way has been able to contribute to various charities, including the Roman Catholic Sisters of the Good Samaritan who help the poor of Nerja, and Caritas, a Roman Catholic charity working among those who are unemployed, the aged, and homeless in Almuñecar.

In June 2003, the Revd Kenneth Reeves succeeded “Ossy”, and was instrumental in producing a booklet of the Eucharist to be used in the parish, with various alternatives following the introduction of “Common Worship” in 2000. The Parish obtained a mortgage and bought its own house for use of the clergy and their families instead of, as formerly, renting a property, and furnished it to a high standard.

Sadly Ken retired due to ill health after eighteen months and almost a year was spent with locums, who varied their service from 9 days to three months, and the Parish were most grateful that the Bishop managed to find so many wonderful priests! In November 2005 the Revd Dr Ronald Saunders took over as Priest-in-Charge and he served for two years.

In June 2008, the Revd Geoff Johnston was Licensed as Priest in Charge and in January 2009 he married Carol.

Welcome to the Anglican Parish of Nerja & Almunecar

Nerja

Almunecar

Church Shop and Charity Centre

Baptisms

Wedding Blessings

Funerals

Church News and Social Events

History of our parish