A LOT has changed in the 30 years since Rev Canon David Munby arrived in Barnsley - including his own name.

He was called Phil when he arrived to take the helm at St George’s Church at Town End in 1988.

But in 2002 following a visit Uganda he decided to change his name to David.

“I just felt God saying to me I’m giving you a new name, David, which means warrior, worshipper and king,” he said.

He made the name change official through deed poll and said it had been met with some mystification by parishioners at the time, but he stuck with it and feels thoroughly at home with the name 16 years on.

He retires this weekend, with his last service taking place on Sunday.

David, 66, originally from Newcastle, was ordained 40 years ago after studying classics and theology at Oxford University, and spent his first ten years at two churches in London.

Over his 30 years in Barnsley, his church has helped feed the homeless, given birth to the Exodus Project children’s charity, run toddler groups, over 60s’ lunches, a foodbank, knit and natter sessions and English conversation classes.

The church has increasingly become known as a ‘House of Prayer for All Nations’ welcoming a regular congregation made up of many nationalities.

“In the last four years I’ve baptised about 80 Iranian former Muslims,” he said. “It’s been quite a phenomenon as people have been disillusioned with Islam and attracted to Jesus.”

David has been heavily involved in Barnsley City of Sanctuary project which aims to help build a culture of welcome for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

He and his wife Jill have brought up three children in Barnsley, who attended St Mary’s Primary and Kingstone School, and have five grandchildren.

There will be a leaving party for the congregation and invited friends tomorrow night, and David said he and Jill hoped other ex-members or old friends would attend their final service on Sunday at 10.45am which will be followed by a ‘bring and share’ lunch in the church hall.