New Anglican church consecrated in the steps of St Paul

The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe followed in the steps of St Paul last weekend (Saturday 24th May 2008) to consecrate some missionary endeavour on the Greek island of Crete, when he visited the Anglican Church of St Thomas, built in the form of a traditional Cretan mountain chapel with outdoor worship area for Summer use.

The church was built by Tony Lane, formerly a steel boat builder from Bristol and his wife Suzanne who retired to Crete seven years ago. Speaking to the “Athens News” newspaper Tony says it is the first Anglican church to be built in Greece since St Andrew’s, Patra 145 years ago.

"Our decision to build the church goes back about four years when we formed the Anglican Worship Group because there wasn't an Anglican presence on Crete. There were six of us initially, but now our congregation has grown. We now have about 50 people, sometimes more, coming to our services. With that sort of growth, we also had a premises problem. We started using the dining-room table in our lounge for services, but that no longer accommodated our number. That is why we decided to build a chapel."

The Right Reverend Geoffrey Rowell went to the island with Canon Malcolm Bradshaw, Chaplain of the Greater Athens congregation to dedicate and see for himself the Church and open air worship area. The location incorporates an old threshing floor and ancient olive trees.  The service also included admitting Tony Lane as a Reader in the Diocese in Europe to enable him to develop the growing church there, as well as licensing a second Reader – David Lancaster Smith, and a confirmation of four new communicants. 100 people, including local community leaders and the British Ambassador, were in the church and surrounding open area.

Ultimately it is hoped the church will have its own Anglican priest and be used as a basis for building other English language services in Crete.

A happier ending to a missionary endeavour than the experiences of St Paul’s visit to Crete (Acts 27) which resulted in a dramatic shipwreck.

Two photographs: The Chapel of St Thomas the Apostle, Kefalas, Crete and a joyful Bishop Geoffrey leading the confirmation service in the open air under an awning for protection from the Mediterranean sun.

Revd. Paul Needle, Diocesan Communications Officer Tel: +34 662 482 944;
E-Mail: paul.needle@europe.c-of-e.org.uk