Archbishop's congratulations on 100 years for Yorkshire priest
Diocese of York News Release
The Venerable Charles Forder, a priest of the Church of England in Yorkshire for 76 years, celebrates his 100th birthday at his home in Scarborough on Saturday 6th January 2007.
Born in Norfolk in 1907, Charles Forder studied at Christ Church and then Ridley Hall, Cambridge, before being ordained a deacon in 1930 and a priest in 1931. He served as Curate of St Peter's, Hunslet Moor, Leeds until 1933; and then moved to be Curate of Burley, Leeds, from 1933. In 1933 he became Vicar of Wibsey, Bradford, until 1940, moving to be Vicar of St Clement's, Bradford until 1947. He then moved to the Diocese of York to be Vicar of St Andrew and St Peter, Drypool, Hull, until 1955, also serving as Chaplain to HM Prison, Hull, from 1949 to 1951, and then to HM Borstal, Hull from 1951 to 1952. In 1955 Charles Forder moved out of Hull to become Rector of Routh and Vicar of Wawne (near Beverley) until 1957 when he was appointed Archdeacon of York.
The Archdeacon of York is a senior figure responsible for the care and discipline of clergy, overseeing the proper running and maintenance of churches, and undertaking much administrative and legal work within the Archdeaconry of York, which includes the City itself and is roughly bounded by Tadcaster, Selby, Market Weighton, Stamford Bridge, Malton and Easingwold. It includes about 200 churches. As Archdeacon, Charles Forder's title changed from "The Reverend" to "The Venerable", and as he took up the reins he also became Rector of Sutton-upon-Derwent from 1957 to 1963, and then Rector of Holy Trinity, Micklegate, York, from 1963 until his retirement in 1972 at the age of 65. He became a Canon of York Minster in 1957 and has been a Canon Emeritus since 1976.
The late Canon John Norman, Rector of Dunnington from 1961 to 1972, spoke in 2001 of his friend Charles Forder as, "A friendly, charming man: gentle and a delight to work with." Canon Norman still had his copy of Charles Forder's authoritative and comprehensive book, "The Work of a Parish Priest", first published in 1941 and revised and reprinted several times. He commented on Archdeacon Forder's ability as an organiser, his comprehensive understanding of church administration (he was influential after the war in the Church Assembly, and one of the architects of its successor, the Church of England General Synod), and his immaculate study and dress-sense! Charles Forder also wrote a booklet entitled "Synods in Action" to co-incide with the introduction of the Synodical structures in the Chuirch of England in 1970.
On Charles Forder's 100th birthday, Saturday 6th January 2006, he will receive the traditional message of congratulation from HM The Queen, and will be visited at his home in Dulverton Hall, Scarborough (a retirement home run by the Church of England Pensions Board) by relatives and friends from Norfolk and elsewhere. The Bishop of Hull, the Right Reverend Richard Frith, will celebrate the Eucharist in the chapel at Dulverton Hall, assisted (at Charles Forder's suggestion) by the present Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Richard Seed. A reception after the service will be followed by a private lunch party.
Archdeacon Forder's guests will, remarkably, include his 86-year-old successor as Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Leslie Stanbridge (1972 - 1988); his 75-year-old successor as Archdeacon of York, the Venerable George Austin (1988 - 1999); and the present Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Richard Seed. Richard Seed follows Charles Forder not only as Archdeacon of York, but also as Rector of Holy Trinity, Micklegate, York. It is unique and thought to be unprecedented in the Church of England for four successive holders of the same senior post to be able to celebrate the centenary of one of their number together!
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said, "Charles Forder's life and ministry have been a great blessing to the Church and those with whom he has lived and worked. As an Archdeacon, a writer, and an influential member of the Church Assembly, he freely shared the wisdom and experience he gained as a parish priest, and I know that many will join me in giving thanks for his long service to Jesus Christ and his people. I wish Charles a very happy hundredth birthday, and pray that he will continue to enjoy good health, the company of those around him, and the love of God whom he has served so faithfully for so long. It is fitting that Charles' birthday falls on the day of Epiphany. Charles had the wisdom of the wise men to seek Christ. On this feast of epiphany may the great light of Christ shine on all who are gathered to celebrate his long life."
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