A priest has been appointed to plant a new worshipping community into Royal Wootton Bassett, bringing with him an existing 
congregation who currently travel outside the diocese for church.
Rev Tom Morgan was part of the team that planted Pattern Church in Swindon in 2018. He has been serving as curate.
Pattern Church has experienced substantial growth over the last six years, and a number of Christians travel from the Royal Wootton Bassett area to take part in services. Following two years of conversations, Tom has been invited to create a new worshipping community in the town. This is the first collaboration with a church in another diocese and follows prayerful consultation with local clergy and neighbours in the Diocese of Bristol.
Rural Dean Rev Canon Jane Curtis said: “For at least two years Tom and I, with others, have been exploring the possibility of a new worshipping community here in the Royal Wootton Bassett area. And it is thrilling that we are now near the start-line. Conversations with Deanery and local ecumenical colleagues, as well as a consultation with the PCC and congregation here at St Bartholomew and All Saints, have focussed on what The Light Church might bring that is new and complementary, plus the opportunities for collaboration and co-operation in the future. We look forward to getting going.”
Tom, a former secondary school teacher in Warminster who trained for ministry at Trinity Bristol, said: “Pattern Church have been prayerfully exploring with Anglican and colleagues from other churches for the last couple of years what it could look like to establish a new church in Calne Deanery, with a focus on engaging those who under 40 who don’t belong to a church community currently. The Light Church is the fruit those prayerful conversations. We look forward to working with many other Christians in the area to make the good news of Jesus known even more widely, and to play our part in living out the words of Psalm 145 "One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts."
Discussions are underway about finding the right location and building for The Light Church.
Bishop Andrew said: “I’m delighted about Tom’s appointment and the start of The Light Church. This is a hopeful new venture for the Diocese of Salisbury and promises to grow God’s work in the north of our diocese. It is a sign of life and confidence in the deanery that our churches are ready to work together in this way: I pray that God will bless the increase of what is being planted here.”