The Bishop of Swindon, Lee Rayfield, has retired after serving the Diocese of Bristol for 18 years.
His final service led by Diocesan Staff, Rev Canon Chris Dobson, and Dr Stephanie Hayton was held on Sunday, 30th April, at Pattern Church in Swindon.
Bishop Lee had previously lectured in immunology before studying for the ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge in 1991. He was made a deacon of Chelmsford Cathedral and ordained as a priest in 1994.
Bishop Lee was consecrated as a bishop on 8 June 2005 by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. He became the Bishop of Swindon, the sole suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Bristol, the same year. Throughout his 18 years of service, Bishop Lee has been a prominent figure in the diocese, known for his dedication to his work and his pastoral care for the people of Swindon. His retirement marks the end of an era in the Diocese of Bristol.
During his final service, he said: “On my mitre is a symbol of an atom and a cross which connects the worlds of science and faith which are integral to my life.
“There are lots about the Church of England that could be better, but Jesus is the centre, and the Christian faith has changed the world.”
Bishop Lee’s involvement in the creation of Pattern Church in 2018 was one of his most impactful projects. The Grade 2 listed building, which was once a pattern-making factory used for creating automotive parts until its closure in 1987, became a catalyst for the regeneration of the area and helped connect people across Swindon, both inside and outside of the church.
In recent times, Pattern Church has also become a hub for Ukrainian refugees, offering them a space to come together, share meals, learn English, and participate in optional church services in Ukrainian and English. This initiative has led to the formation of one of the largest refugee communities in the country.
Bishop Lee continued to support his community in Swindon through his recent charity bike ride, ‘From the Bottom to the Top,’ which took him from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The ride aimed to raise money to provide special Christmas gifts to families in need. Bishop Lee’s dedication to his community and his commitment to supporting those in need will be deeply missed as he embarks on his retirement.
“Committed to evangelism, he led the work, bringing Pattern Church to life. Most recently, as a pastor he led our work on Living in Love and Faith, enabling many to explore different views on sexuality, which continue to divide the church. I am deeply grateful for his welcome of me in 2018, the training he gave this newbie Diocesan Bishop, and his continued companionship of me and other colleagues. We will miss him greatly.”
