Priest ordained more than 70 years ago remembered as 'devoted servant of the people of Wigan' after this death
Tributes have been paid after the death of a Wigan priest who dedicated more than 70 years to the church.
The Reverend John Southern was described as a “faithful priest and devoted servant of the people of Wigan”.
The 98-year-old devoted much of his life to the church and celebrated 70 years of ordained ministry in September 2022.
He was the vicar at St David’s Church in Haigh from 1960 to 1975 and then at St John's Church in Pemberton from 1975 to 1998, when he also led services at St Luke's Church, Orrell.
After his retirement, he continued to serve across many churches, leading funerals and supporting churches in their Sunday worship.
A funeral service will be held at St Luke’s at 11.30am on Friday, March 27, followed by committal at Wigan Crematorium.
A statement on Church Wigan’s Facebook page said: “All at Church Wigan and the Wigan Deanery Trust extend their deepest sympathy to the family of Revd John Southern, who passed away over the weekend.
“A faithful priest and devoted servant of the people of Wigan for 66 years, John ministered with generosity and compassion in the parishes of St David, Haigh; St John, Pemberton; and St Luke, Orrell.
"His long and dedicated service will be remembered with gratitude and affection. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
A statement from Pemberton Community Association said: “Rev John Southern was a lovely man, always had time for his parishioners and those who wanted a chat. He will be missed by many people. RIP John, our condolences to his family.”
Many people took to social media to remember Mr Southern.
Andrew Turton wrote: “I met John when he officiated my late first wife Kathy Lamb and I in 1993 at St John's, Pemberton. I am now curate for St David's Haigh where John was before he moved to St John's. He had been Kathy's vicar at St John's for a few years and she always spoke highly of John and Audrey.
"I think I last saw him when he took some services at St David's when we were in interregnum. Thinking of his family at this time. May John rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Elinor Sharrock wrote: “He often officiated at St Anne’s, Beech Hill and was highly regarded by us all. May he rest in peace.”
Steve Clarke wrote: “Revd John Southern will forever hold a special place in my heart. He was such a strong influence for good to me in my youth. His reference got me my first position of employment. He was a pastoral rock when my mum died just before my 21st birthday.
"Subsequently whenever he came to my church as a visiting priest he always told the congregation ‘I prepared this man for confirmation’ and I can still remember after all these years some of the things he taught me. Rest in peace good and faithful servant.”
Chris Simm wrote: “That is sad news. He was an outstanding priest and a major figure in the history of Wigan.”
Deborah Moore wrote: “Sincere condolences to the family. Such a lovely priest. We were married at St David's Haigh 1972 and he officiated. May he rest in heavenly peace.”