Tribute to a much respected vicar

Denys Goodman

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Hollinwood clergyman who has died at the age of 85.

Father Denys Goodman, who was vicar of St Margaret’s Church from 1957 until 1970, died on July 24.

Originally from Birmingham, Father Goodman studied at Lincoln Theological College, before being ordained in 1952.

During his time in the borough, he was the Manchester Diocesan representative on Oldham Education Committee, a governor of Hulme Grammar School and a member of Oldham Adoption Society.

He and his wife Anne, the daughter of Canon G Willett the former Rural Dean of Oldham, were married in 1963.

The family left in 1970 and moved to Bath where Father Goodman became the vicar of St Mary’s Church in Bathwick, as well as a prebendery of Wells Cathedral.

He retired in 1991 but continued his work within the church.

He had been invited to preach at St Margaret’s Church during its 240th anniversary celebrations last month, but was unable to attend.

His wife said: “He was very hardworking and a good man.

“He really gave everything he had to the church and people, he was very patient with them.

“We were very happy during our time in Hollinwood, Denys particularly, especially because the people were so friendly.

“He was so looking forward to coming back for the anniversary celebrations, it took him a long time to call back and say he could not make it.”

Father David Hawthorne, the current vicar of St Margaret’s Church said: “He always spoke very fondly of Hollinwood, he even named his house in Bathwick after the district, and was highly regarded.

“He was very spiritual and trained many curates while he was here. They valued immensely the discipline he instilled in them about being a priest in the church.”

Father Goodwin is survived by his wife, Anne, their four children and two grandchildren.

A sung Requiem Service will take place at Wells Cathedral tomorrow at 11am and a requiem mass will be held at St Margaret’s Church, Hollinwood, next week.