Southsea church welcomes new vicar into its ranks

Reverend Adam Tams has joined at St Jude’s Church, in Kent Road, Southsea.

The 35-year-old former salesman-turned-Vicar was first ordained in 2017, and previously held a position at a church in Leamington Spa before making the jump to Southsea.

‘This is really exciting and very strange,’ he said. ‘To be starting a new job is always strange – but to be starting a new job, which is almost entirely based in the community – during the middle of a pandemic and lockdown is very odd.’

The reverend added this was his ‘first time’ in Portsmouth, having moved to the city with his wife, Jess, and their two children, Jacob, three, and Ellie, one.

‘This is a completely new move for me,’ he said. ‘I felt like God called me for this job.

‘But I must admit I had never been or heard of Southsea before so I am really excited to get to know the community and the city.’

The reverend was appointed to his new role by the Archdeacon of Portsdown, the Venerable Jenny Rowley. She licensed him on the steps of St Jude's during a social-distanced service.

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