I believe he joined the
guild in about 1928 as a server in Oxford. Since 1984 he has been assistant
chaplain to the chapter of St. Christopher Cannock. Last September he
celebrated the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
From Nick Rutter
...
It
was announced on the BBC that Fr Raymond Bristow has died aged 98. He was
the longest serving priest in the Church of England, having just celebrated
the 70th anniversary of his ordination.
I first met Fr Raymond
when he retired to my previous parish, Heath Hayes, and he supported the
Cannock branch of GSS as an assistant chaplain. By his own reckoning he was
one of the last to have been made deacon in the chapel of the old Bishop's
Palace in the close in Lichfield. The following year the Bishop moved out
and the Old Palace became the Cathedral Choir School. When GSS sang the
Guild Office there some years ago, he came along to reminisce about times
past and to share memories of Bishops he remembered.
A tall and distinguished
priest, a true pastor and a tolerant friend, he will be missed by many in
Heath Hayes and Norton Canes, especially by his son, Simon, and his
grandchildren.
May he rest in peace and
rise in glory at the last