MORE than 100 well-wishers from all over the country attended a special service in St Helens to mark Canon Sydney Goddard's 50th year of Christian ministry.

Ordained in Liverpool Cathedral in 1949, Canon Goddard began his ministry at St John's, Ravenhead, the venue for the service of thanksgiving.

He then went on to St Andrew's, Dentons Green, and St Ambrose, Widnes, before becoming vicar of St Saviour's in Liverpool.

He spent the rest of his ministry in Falkner Square founding and developing World Friendship House, a hostel for overseas students.

Canon Goddard, retired and living in Bronaber, near Trawsfynydd, North Wales, said: "This service was an opportunity for me to say thank-you to everyone who has helped both Cicely, my wife, and I, over the past 50 years. We are grateful to Rev. Roy Doran, St John's present minister, for inviting us and making us so very welcome."

A collection was taken for Reaching Out, a new building project planned for St John's aimed at increasing the church's ministry into the Millennium.

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