TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Chepstow vicar who died last week.

Bishop David Thomas, who served the town for three years, died at the age of 74 on Friday, May 12.

Educated at Keble College, Oxford, Bishop David trained for ministry at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, and was ordained Deacon in 1967 by his father, John Thomas, who was the then Bishop of Swansea and Brecon.

He enjoyed a long and illustrious career which saw him serve in various roles throughout the church in Wales and in England.

He served as a university chaplain in Wales before returning to St Stephen’s House as firstly Vice-Principal and then, from 1982-87 as Principal.

It is between the two St Stephen House appointments, that Bishop David filled the role as Vicar of Chepstow.

He was consecrated as Provincial Assistant Bishop in 1996, a role he held until his retirement in 2008.

Bishop David celebrated the 20th anniversary of his ordination as Bishop at a service in St Mary’s Priory Abergavenny in December.

Canon Mark Soady, Area Dean of Abergavenny, said, “We have lost a great source of wisdom and a man with a great pastoral heart.

"He shall be sorely missed by the people of Abergavenny who had a great fondness for him. Our prayers are with Rosemary and the family at this time.”