Welcome to Canon Paul Maybury

We are thrilled to welcome Canon Paul Maybury as the new Rector of Leeds. It was a long time coming, but we are certain it will prove to have been worth the wait!

Canon Paul was welcomed on Sunday 4 December at 5.30pm in a service led by Bishop Arun Arora. The Choir of Leeds Minster was joined by Bradford Cathedral Consort for a festive, musical and joyous occasion.

About Canon Paul

Background

The son of two ordained Anglicans, and grandson of missionaries, Canon Paul grew up in Scotland, before moving to Leeds in 1981 to work at St George’s Crypt.

In 1984 he married Sarah, and while working as Parish Administrator in Bramley, they lived for five years on the Broadleas Estate, exploring with others what living there as a Christian community might mean, worshipping at the Methodist church on the estate, and starting their family.

Paul became Assistant Administrator for the Diocese of Ripon (as it then was) in 1987, working at the Diocesan Offices on St Mary’s Street, at the bottom of York Road. His role involved working with many churches across Leeds. During this time, he and Sarah moved to Manston, and became part of the community there at St. James’ church.

After six years Paul felt called to become a Priest and went to train in Bristol for two years. He was ordained in 1985 and served his apprenticeship (curacy) in Derby.

Ministry

In 1999 Paul and the family moved to Dewsbury and the parish of Gawthorpe and Chickenley Heath. After a few years he took on responsibility for the parish of Holy Trinity Ossett and led the churches to work together and to combine in the iconic Holy Trinity church building.

In his time at Holy Trinity much restoration work to the building was undertaken and many community initiatives begun including a successful Childcare service serving local families from 4 Primary schools and offering holiday clubs in school holidays. Paul led a number of joint church activities and was made Area Dean of Dewsbury and Canon at Wakefield Cathedral. Meanwhile Sarah was active in Primary teaching, managing a childcare ministry and childminding.

In 2013 Paul moved away from Yorkshire, on a three-year contract, working with the Anglican church in the Middle East, based in Cyprus. His role there involved ministering in three churches and offering support for prayer and spirituality across the diocese.

In 2016 he returned to work in Yorkshire at Bradford Cathedral being responsible for overseeing worship and music and developing the cultural and arts programme. He led on the installation of a professional livestream facility at the Cathedral at the end of the pandemic.

During their time in Bradford, Sarah completed her Licensed Lay Ministry training and worked voluntarily in two different parishes in Bradford. They also became grandparents to a grandson and two granddaughters.

Return to Leeds

Canon Paul now returns to Leeds, where his three children were born, and looks forward to working across the city as Leeds Minster continues to serve the Civic life of the city. Leeds Minster has its own parish, Leeds City Parish, and St Peter’s school, and Paul looks forward to becoming known to everyone living and working there. Along with St George’s, Paul will share responsibility for the work of Holy Trinity, Boar Lane. He will also chair various charitable groups including the trustees of Leeds Church Institute.

He says, “Leeds has been part of my growth as a young adult. It is where I had my first job; had my first home with Sarah, my wife; welcomed our three children into the world and was sent out from to train as a Priest. I now return, to the role of Rector of Leeds City Parish, and look forward to working in this wonderful and amazing city.

I particularly look forward to praying with and for people and sharing faith with those of all faiths and none.”