Vicar prepares to say farewell

Rev Barrie Law, vicar at King's Church in Park Crescent, West Park, is retiring on Sunday, two days before his 70th birthday.

The former carpet salesman has conducted "hundreds" of weddings, funerals and baptisms, and presided over the nuptials of his daughter Deborah, now 35, nine years ago.

Mr Law, who has a congregation of about 100, today admitted that retiring "will feel like a bereavement".

His calling came in 1982, when he sold a small business called Standard Carpets, based in Whitmore Reans, and became the full-time vicar at King's Church.

A year later, he bought a seven-bed house in Newhampton Road West with wife Sandra, and welcomed and raised eight young lodgers belonging to the congregation.

This arrangement continued until the Laws, their daughter Deborah and son Mark sold up and moved to Regis Road, Tettenhall, in 1995 before relocating again to Perton. Mr Law said today: "Our family of four became a family of 12, and we had an amazing time.

"These kids had nowhere to go, and we gave them a house to live in and brought them up.

He added: "My last Sunday will feel like a bereavement but everything must come to an end."

The new reverend will be Brian Kuppan, a South African who used to be part of the congregation.

Mr Law said: "I will still attend various Christian events like the coffee evenings around town but it's time for Brian to lead this church now."

The farewell service on Sunday will see members of the congregation pay tribute to Mr Law before enjoying a traditional roast dinner in the church hall.