About us

St Paul’s is a vibrant mix of people and groups from the local community, who are loving God and seeking transformation.

By showing welcome and hospitality to all and by working with organisations such as Ability Bow and IntoUniversity,  St Paul’s is a place where people, young and old, can find healing and hope.

The good news of Christianity is worked out as we see people break through educational barriers, get out of wheelchairs and walk, realise that they are accepted and valued, and find spiritual healing and joy.

Our prayer is that St Paul’s will continue to grow and flourish to become a beacon of hope and transformation far beyond Old Ford.

Church services

At St Paul Old Ford coming together for worship, prayer, and friendship is really important to our life as a church. We would love for you to join us at any of our services, but especially each Sunday at 10.30am.

Sunday morning: Our main service takes place on Sunday at 10.30am, in the church building and on Youtube. See the News page for more information.

Midday Prayer: We’re currently meet for midday prayer Monday to Thursday at 12 noon on Zoom.

St Columba: The community of St Columba continue to meet on  Thursday evenings. Contact Rev. Dave for more information. 

Meet our staff team

Vacant Vicar

Vacant

The position of the vicar is currently vacant, but we have a clergy team (see the rest of this page) who are continuing our services.

We have appointed the Rev. Darius Weithers to be our new vicar. He starts in October.

Rev. April Keech Associate priest

Rev. April Keech

April works part time at St Paul’s leading and developing our services, pastoral ministry and Mothers Union, as well as a host of other initiatives.

April can be contacted on april@stpauloldford.com  or 020 8981 4655

Rev. Dave Pilkington Curate

Rev. Dave Pilkington

Dave was ordained in 2019 having been part of St Paul’s for the previous three years during his ordination training. Dave leads the new worshipping community of St Columba as well as playing a full part in the life of St Paul Old Ford. He is married to Christina and they have four children.

Dave can be contacted on dave@stpauloldford.com or through St Paul’s reception on 020 8981 4655.

More information about St Columba can be found at stcolumbaeastlondon.org or @stcolumbaeast

Divya Beeharry Venue manager

Divya Beeharry

Divya is responsible for our buildings and space hire team. She ensures that we are a welcoming and safe place for visitors, building users and worshippers throughout the week.

Divya can be contacted on divya@stpauloldford.com  or 020 8981 4655

Penny Gkika Front of house coordinator

Penny Gkika

Penny is our front of house coordinator.

Jessica Lawrence Youth worker

Jessica Lawrence

Jessica started as our youth worker in September 2019, having previously been our youth intern. She finished a degree in youth work and theology in June 2019.

Jessica can be contacted on jessica@stpauloldford.com

Fiona Lowther Church warden

Fiona Lowther

Fiona, along with Tim, works with the vicar and PCC to further the mission and ministry of St Paul’s in the Old Ford area and beyond. They have particular responsibilities around the building and leadership. The churchwardens are elected every year at our AGM.

Tim Murray Church warden

Tim Murray

Tim, along with Fiona, works with the Vicar and PCC to further the mission and ministry of St Paul’s in the Old Ford area and beyond. They have particular responsibilities around the building and leadership. The churchwardens are elected every year at our AGM.

Christine Fryer Cafe supervisor

Christine Fryer

Christine supervises our café and café volunteers. She makes wonderful home-cooked food and provides a friendly welcome to everyone who visits the café.

Our café is open 10-3pm, Monday to Friday and provides a range of wonderful and affordable home cooked meals and snacks.

Anne Zakiewicz Pastoral assistant

Anne Zakiewicz

Anne provides support to the church through pastoral care, and she leads our welcome team ministry. If you’re new to St Paul’s then why not get in contact with Anne and find out when our next welcome lunch is? It’s a great way to get to know people and to find out more about who we are at St Paul’s.

Anne can be contacted on 020 8981 4655.

Mark Hutin Music leader

Mark Hutin

Mark oversees our music ministry, including our choir and musicians. Our choir meets every Tuesday from 7pm and is a friendly and welcoming group who love to sing and worship together. All abilities are very welcome!

Christina Ganasegaram Cleaner

Christina Ganasegaram

Christina ensures that our building is clean and tidy so that it can be a welcoming, safe place for everyone who visits us.

Kay Norman PA to the vicar

Kay Norman

Kay provides invaluable support to the vicar by undertaking a variety of communication, organisation and administrative tasks.

Kay usually works Mondays and Tuesdays. She can be contacted on kay@stpauloldford.com

Chris Watson Pastoral visitor

Chris Watson

Chris supports the pastoral ministry at St Paul’s, as well as being part of the team leading St Columba.

Chris can usually be found in the church cafe each Tuesday.

Debbie Mack Youth work apprentice

Debbie Mack

Debbie is currently studying for her youth work degree on the Diocese of London Youth Apprentice Programme. Debbie has been a member of the St Paul’s congregation for over 7 years and has previously supported both the children’s and youth work.

Sharon Hartman Book keeper

Sharon Hartman

Sharon provides essential support with our finances and book keeping.

Sharon can be contacted on finance@stpauloldford.com 

Rev. Billy O'Reilly Self supporting minister

Rev. Billy O'Reilly

Billy has been coming to St. Paul’s for 16 years and was ordained as a self supporting minister in 2016. He continues to work full time for a local charity and regularly helps to lead worship and preach at St Paul’s. He’s married to Melanie and has two sons (and a cat).

Cafe

Our cafe is currently closed due to lockdown. We’ll provide more information about it reopening as things become clearer.