Jack Ward

One of St Thomass and of course Mow Cop's more popular vicars was Jack Ward. 1908-1999

The following is an article taken from the Evening Sentinel

A VICAR who gave up a career as a piano soloist to join the clergy has died at the age of 90.
The Reverend Jack Ward gave up his career, playing seaside and concert shows on tour to serve 18 years at St Thomas Church, Mow Cop.
But the vicar kept up his musical passion by broadcasting regularly on spots such as his weekly programme Dial-a-Tune on Radio Stoke.
He was sacked from the slot in 1990 after the show ran without a break for 12 years, triggering a storm of protest from listeners. Rev Ward, who retired from the Church 20 years ago, combined his interest for music and the church at nine years old by becoming an organist.
He took up the post of choirmaster aged 13 and went on tour playing at seaside shows after he left school.
The vicar sold records and broadcast as far a field as Canada, America and Europe and played in London’s Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall. He gave up hi-, promising career as a pianist to enter the priesthood.
The bachelor clergyman kept up his interest as musical director of Congleton based concert group The Entertainers and in Congleton Operatic Society.
And when he retired, he devoted his spare time to his first passion.
He once told The Sentinel: "Music has always gone side by side with my work for the church but my calling to the Church took precedence over my musical interest
Having reached retirement age, I decided to relinquish my position in the church and devote my time to music, broadcasting and my many interests and hobbies
Friend Andrew Wood said: "The best tribute I can give the Rev Ward are the word- of the late Bishop of Stafford who ordained him. He said ‘A more generous man you could not find’. "