(I have endeavoured to make the following information as complete as possible)
IRWIN LLOYD 1843-46
First vicar appointed in 1843, remaining for 3 years when he moved to Southgate in Middlesex. In 1850 he was appointed as the Associated Secretary to the Irish Society of London at York. Rev. Lloyd then moved again to the South - this time to London becoming the Minister of St. Peters, De Beauvoir Town in Hackney. It seems that this was his last post as he died at the early age of 42 years on April 6th 1858. There is a plaque in the Chancel in his memory.
PARSONS JAMES MANING 1846-91
(18.5.1816 - 2.2.1900)
His was the longest incumbency to date lasting 45 years. He was ordained as a Priest in 1840 by the Bishop of Montreal where he was a travelling missionary until 1845. On returning to his homeland he became Curate at All Saints in Huddersfield where he remained about a year before coming to St. Johns in 1846. He will be remembered at Farsley for the work undertaken by him during his stay - the Vicarage, School and Church alterations.
Rev. Maning resigned on September 30th 1891 due to failing health and died at Shrewsbury in March 1900. On his retirement he received the sum of £80 per annum.
It is recorded that his favourite hymn was "Hark ! my soul, it is the Lord" by Cowper. His favourite text was from Isaiah Ch. 30 v.18 - "And therefore will the lord wait that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgement: blessed are all they that wait for him".
EDWIN KING 1891 - 1906
His first appointment was as Curate at Newington from 1882-3. He moved to Lightcliffe in 1883 remaining until 1885 when he went to
St. Thomas in Bradford. In 1888 he moved to St. Paul's Manningham where he remained until coming to Farsley in 1891.
During his 15 year stay he was responsible for alterations to the Vicarage and to the interior of the Church in 1895 when the Reredos was installed. Rev. King remained at Farsley until 1906 when it seems that by mutual agreement he changed churches with our next incumbent. The Church in question was at King's Pyon with Birley in Hertfordshire. Records seem to indicate that he retired in 1924 and went to live at Penarth, Cardiff.
ARTHUR LEIGH-LYE 1906-09
His first position as Curate was at St. Mary's, Cheltenham from 1883-85 and then at Ramsgate from 1885-92. His first Vicariste was at St. Matthew in Rugby from 1892-98 and during his last two years at Rugby he was Rural Dean.
In 1898 he moved to King's Pyon with Birley where he remained until 1906 when he came to Farsley and remained for 3 years. Rev. Leigh-Lye's next position was twofold, he became Rector of Thurloxton and Vicar of Durston in Somerset.
EDWIN BROOSHOOFT-BROWN 1909-13
His first post as Curate was at Pakefield near Lowestoft from 1894-1901. Leaving this seaside Church with its thatched roof he went to Greyfriars in Reading where he remained until 1904 when he moved to Staple Fitzpaine-with-Bickenhall in Somerset. He remained there until 1909 when he took over at St. John's. Whilst here he became known for his photography producing the pictures for the Bazaar booklet in 1910.
He was responsible for starting during 1910, the Band of Hope; the Scripture Union; the Communicant's Guild and the Sunday School Teacher's Preparation Classes.
Rev. Brown left Farsley in 1913 to become Rector of Eastrop, Basingstoke. His next move was to St. Michael's, Dover in 1917 where he remained until 1922.
In 1930 he was at Trowse in Norwich.
JAMES HOLROYDE 1913-15
St. John's, Liverpool was his first position as Curate from 1873-77. He moved South to St. Mark's at Tollington Park, Islington in 1877 remaining until 1880 when he went to Stowe in Staffs, again moving back to London in 1883 where he remained at St. Andrew's, Battersea until 1888. During his time at Battersea he had published in 1886 his illustrated book called "English Scenery".
His first Vicariste was not until 1888 when he moved to Stapleford in Nottinghamshire - coming to Farsley in 1913.
It was a short stay of two years in Yorkshire when once again he moved South to the village of Patcham in Sussex just North of Brighton. This church contains a rare example of a Doom painting (a picture of the Last Judgement). He was at Patcham from 1915 until 1925.
HAROLD DRANSFIELD PEARSON 1916-21
He was Curate of Spofforth-with-Follifoot and Little Ribston from 1902-10 when he became Curate at Bilton in 1910 remaining until 1916.
His next move was to St. John's where he remained until 1921 when he returned to Bilton. According to the Ecclesiastical Directory he was still there in 1954.
NORMAN HARRY CLARKE 1921-25
He was destined for higher office as he became Lord Bishop Suffragan of Plymouth on the 25th July 1950.
(Assistant to the Bishop)
His career began when he was ordained Deacon in 1916 and Priest in 1917 with his first post as Curate at St. Bartholomew's from 1916-18 and then at All Saints, Ecclesall, Sheffield from 1918-21. His first Vicaritate was at Farsley in 1921 and he remained until 1925 when he went to St. Stephen's, West Bowling, Bradford.
In 1927 he left Bradford for the South coast where he became Vicar at St. Saviour's, Westcliffe-on-Sea and remained there until 1935. The same year he moved to St. Matthew's, Surbiton being incumbent until 1945, then he moved again to the coast, this time to St. Andrews-with-St. Cathrine at Plymouth where he was made Canon Emeritus the same year which he held until 1948. Between 1930 and 1935 he held the position of Diocesan Inspector of Schools and from 1940-45 he was Canon and Treasurer of Southwark Cathedral. In 1948 he became Rural Dean of Three Towns, this position he held until 1950 when he was appointed Archdeacon of Plymouth, the position he held until retiring in 1962.
From 1962 he was Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Canterbury.
WILFRID LEE BECKLES-GOODWIN 1925-35
Ordained as Deacon in 1914 and Priest in 1915. His first post was as assistant Curate at St. Silas, Byker from 1914-18 and then at Jesmond, Newcastle until 1920 when he was made House Master at Alwyn College, Arnside. He remained until 1923 and then became Curate at St. Mary's, Windermere where he stayed only a year as he took the post of Organising Secretary to the North Central District Council and C.C.S. He held this position until 1925 when he came to St. John's remaining until 1935 when he moved to Cheadle-Hulme becoming Rector of Cheadle. In 1944 he moved to St. James, New Brighton and then to Burgh-by-Sands, West Kirkhampton in 1955 and stayed until 1962.
In 1963 he moved to the Diocese of Carlisle as a Licensed Preacher.
COLIN CAMPBELL MACKAY 1935-46
Ordained Deacon in 1924 and Priest in 1925. He took his first post as assistant Curate at All Saints, Leyton from 1924-26 moving to St. Mark's, Forest Gate for a year and then spent a further year at the Church of Christ, Summerfield, Birmingham. In 1928 he took his Vicaritate at St. Mary's, Laisterdyke where he remained for seven years before coming to St. John's in 1935. After eleven years in the village he moved to St. Mary-with-St. James, Barnoldswick-with-Bracewell.
Rev. Mackay was Surrogate from 1947-56 when he became Hon. Canon of King Alfred in Bradford Cathedral in 1956. He also took over as Rector of Marton-in-Craven and Thornton-in-Craven.
CECIL TAYLOR 1946-52
Ordained Deacon in 1932 and Priest in 1933. In 1932 he became assistant Curate at St. John's, Burscough Bridge staying until 1943 when he moved to St. Thomas, Eccleston in St. Helens. Three years later he was at St. Michaels, Huyton taking charge of St. Gabriels Huyton Quarry as well. He left this position in 1942 to work for Dr. Barnados in the County of York as Clerical Deputation Secretary.
His first Vicaritate was at St. John's in 1946 where he served the community until 1952 when he left to become Vicar at Glen Magna with Stretton Magna in Leicestershire.
JOHN JOSEPH CLACK 1952-61
Ordained as Deacon in 1937 by Bishop Mounsey of Bradford and as Priest a year later.
He became Curate of Slaidburn from 1937-40 moving to Ingrow-with-Hainworth until 1942. For one year, 1942-43, he was Curate at St. John's, Thornham-with-Gravelhole and in 1943 he became Vicar at Austwick remaining there until he moved to his second St. John's in 1952. He was inducted on September 5th.
In 1961 he left Farsley to become Vicar of Kelbrook, Colne. It was interesting to note that some 70 members of the congregation of St. John's went by coach to attend his induction. He remained at Kelbrook until 1976 when he took over as Priest-in-Charge of Weston-with-Denton near Otley in the Bradford Diocese.
Rev Clack retired in 1981.
JOHN HODGSON RENTON 1962-67
Ordained as Deacon in 1934 and as a Priest at Bradford in 1935. His first position as Curate was at St. John's, Greengate from 1934-37 and then at Clayton from 1937-39. For the next 3 years he was Curate-in-Charge of St. James Conventional District, Pudsey. In 1942 he went as Vicar to St. Cyprians, Harehills, Leeds moving to Horton-in-Ribblesdale in 1944 remaining until 1951 and then taking over at Denton and Weston, Otley until 1955. He then moved back to the Dales to Sutton-in-Craven for the next 7 years until coming to St. John's in 1962 where he stayed until 1967. Leaving Farsley he moved to Gisburn where he unfortunately died in 1970.
In the July Church Review 1970 the following was recorded: "During his five years residence in Farsley, Mr. Renton endeared himself to the people, not only the regular attenders at the Church but also to the members of other denominations"...."He had a profound love for children, and was never so happy as when he was with them"...."Few people know of his many acts of kindness and generosity which were a legion".
He was responsible for the organising of the Sam. Marsden 200th Anniversary Celebration in 1964.
DEREK BRIGGS 1967 - 1990
Studied at St. Aiden's College, Birkenhead from 1952-55 achieving his Diploma in Theology (London University). He was ordained as Deacon in 1955 and as Priest in 1956 whilst Curate at St. Saviour, Brownhill, Wakefield. He moved to St. James in Trowbridge in 1957 where he remained until 1960 when he became Rector of St. Peter, Levershulme. In 1967 Rev. Briggs came to Farsley. It is interesting to note that prior to his church life, Rev. Briggs was for some ten years, an agricultural engineer.
Whilst at Farsley his concerted efforts have provided a new Vicarage and a new Church Hall.
Note
The information from here has been added to Bretherick's History to keep the list of previous vicars up to date
JOHN NEVILLE WHITE 1990 - 2006
PAUL TUDGE 2007 - 2020
GARETH HOWLES 2020 - 2024
NATHANAEL POOLE 2025 - PRESENT DAY
CURATES
In addition to our Vicars there has only been two curates, the first being A.J. Gibson from 1886-91. He was curate to Rev. Maning.
The second was John Lawrence Anderson who was at St. John's for approximately four years during 1921-25 but the directory shows he was there during 1923-24. This was during Rev. Clarke's incumbency. For a time he was in the diocese of Nelson and in 1928 he moved to New Zealand and records show he was there until 1961.
