At St Matthew’s Church, Richhill on Sunday 27th June there were celebrations as Rev Derick Wilson marked the 50th anniversary of his ordination. The Most Reverend John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh, joined the Wilson family and the congregation on the Primate’s first visit to Richhill.
The congregation gave thanks to God for Derick’s faith and service - having given his life to Christ at the age of 13, he entered the Faith Mission Bible College at 19, serving with Faith Mission for sixteen years, five of which were as District Superintendent.
Derick then heard the call to ordained ministry and studied at Oak Hill Theological College in London. He was ordained on this very day in 1971 for the Curacy of Shankill Parish, Lurgan, before moving to Willowfield for a second curacy. He then served as Rector of Knocknamuckley, then Willowfield, and finally Tullylish. He loved to preach God’s word, and after retirement provided vacancy preaching and visiting in Down and Dromore and Armagh dioceses. He preached his final sermon at the age of 79, 60 years after his first.
An inscribed Bible was presented to Derick on behalf of the Select Vestry and parishioners by Mr Garfield McCoy, Churchwarden. The Archbishop preached and led the congregation in a prayer of thanksgiving for Derick’s ministry.
”