Our Vicar...

Rev. Paul Deo

Paul was born and raised in Bradford before he trained to teach at The College of Ripon and York St. John. From there he taught in a number of schools across the city, including Wycliffe CE Middle in Shipley, Royd Mount Middle in Thornton, Windhill CE First and Swaine House Middle. He also led a PRU in Shipley for a while! Then, in 1995, it was off to train for ordination at St. John's College in Nottingham, where he and Ros and their two (then young) children lived for two years as Paul retrained for the ordained ministry.

Coming back to Bradford after completing his training, Paul served his curacy in Tong and Holmewood, then went to be Vicar of St. Mary's Laisterdyke in 2000. Tempted by the offer of taking up a parish based role as one of only four Mission Priests in the Diocese of Bradford, Paul and family moved to Baildon in 2006, where part of his role was as Deanery Children's Adviser. It felt a bit like 'going home' as Paul went to school himself at what was then Salt Grammar School on Coach Road. In 2012, after the Mission Priest role had served its fixed term, Paul was appointed as Vicar of Christ Church in Heworth, York, and it was from there that he came to us as part-time vicar of our two churches and parishes in the September of 2023.

Paul's passions include almost all sports (he served as Chaplain to Bradford City FC and later to York City FC, both for several seasons. He still plays golf when he can (it's easier now with this being a part-time post!) and is a member at Cleckheaton Golf Club. He has played the guitar for most of his life and often leads us in worship in our church services. He became a 'Pop' in 2020 and says that an already full life has been completely enriched since that happened. Right now, he and Ros are looking forward to welcoming their 4th grandchild later in the year.