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’. "
