The Rector of Newark, the Rev Vivian Enever, is to leave Newark after Easter next year.
The Rev Vivian Enever
Congregations in the four churches in the Newark Team Ministry were told of his new post at services on Sunday.
He has been appointed as the Rector of the Queen Thorne benefice in the Salisbury diocese.
Mr Enever is currently on retreat before returning to work on Saturday.
Newark Parish Church has found itself at the centre of controversy during his time as Rector with the sacking of the Master of the Song School, Mr George Richford, in February by the church council.
In a statement issued after the dismissal, Mr Enever said Mr Richford was found to have committed a number of acts of misconduct as well as gross misconduct. All have been denied by Mr Richford who is taking the matter to an industrial tribunal.
Mr Enever became Rector of Newark ten years ago and said he had particularly enjoyed being involved in the life of the people of the town — at baptisms, weddings, funerals, school visits and civic occasions.
He said he had gained a huge amount of satisfaction as a trainer of clergy.
In the last five years two ordinands have come from the parish and curates have also been trained in Newark.
He said: “Overall I look back with immense satisfaction but also with a certain amount of frustration, particularly as the church awaits the return of the choral tradition, which is dependent upon adequate funding from the Magnus Foundation.”
During his time as rector he and his wife, Olivia Blackburn, have been involved in new initiatives including a flower and opera festival in 2005 and the introduction of girl choristers for the first time in the church’s choral history.
The church has also been used for Time Travelling events that attract more than 300 primary school children, two community plays in 2011 about Jesus’ life and a Christmas Tree Festival that is now in its fifth year.
Work has been carried out to the church, including repairing the nave roof and clerestory windows.
Mr Enever said if he had one wish it would be to see the start of the restoration of the spire and the return of the cockerel wind vane.
He said: “The church is proud of the £62,000 it has raised so far but we are looking for another £35,000 from businesses or historic grant-making bodies. We are well on the way.”
