Love God, Serve People, Make Disciples
Sadly, Reverend Canon Richard Maynard died on 1st April after a short illness. The funeral will be on Tuesday 6th May at 2.00pm in Lezant Parish Church.
Revd Canon Richard Maynard
Richard was born, brought up and educated at Saltash. He read theology at King’s College, London and completed his pre-ordination training at St Boniface College, Warminster.
Richard and Diana married at St Nicholas and St Faith on 20th April 1965. Throughout their marriage they supported each other as they both pursued their vocations.
On Trinity Sunday 1967 Richard was ordained deacon in Truro Cathedral and in the following year he was ordained priest there. He served his first curacy in the parish of St Ives (1967-71) and a second curacy at Falmouth (1971 – 74) before being inducted in 1974 as vicar of the United Benefice of St Germans with Tideford to which Downderry and Hessenford were subsequently added. While at St Germans Richard was made Rural Dean of East Wivelshire (1981-85) and he was also made an Honorary Canon of Truro Cathedral in 1982.
In 1985 Richard was appointed Team Rector of Saltash to a newly created team ministry that embraced the parishes of SS. Nicholas and Faith, St Stephen by Saltash, an appointment he held until he retired in 2008.
Throughout his ministry, Richard sought to uphold the distinctive understanding of the priestly ministry traditionally held by the Church of England. This is to extend the ministry of the Church to everyone in the community, and not just to minister to a congregation. Thus, Richard entered into many aspects of the life of the town including being Chaplain to the Mayor on several occasions, being chaplain to St Barnabas Hospital, Chair of Governors at Bishop Cornish Primary School and a governor at the local Comprehensive School. Richard also helped to develop the ecumenical relationships between the clergy and the various denominations in Saltash.
In both of his incumbencies he oversaw major restorations to the fabric of the church buildings, ensured that the liturgical life of the parishes was of the highest order, while his preaching was informed by a commitment to continuing reading and study of theology that only slowed a few weeks before he died. Richard fostered the vocation to ordained ministry in others and trained curates. Every aspect of his ministry was undergirded by daily prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist.
Beyond all that, the attention Richard gave to his pastoral work at any hour of the day or night, meant that many parishioners, who might never have attended a church, were helped in times of crisis.
In retirement Richard continued to exercise his ministry, for two years as Priest in Charge at St Clether and Laneast and then, assisting the clergy in and around Launceston. He continued to celebrate Holy Communion at least once a month up until a few weeks before he died, peacefully in Launceston Hospital on 1st April. Richard’s funeral will take place at Lezant Parish Church on Tuesday 6th May at 2.00pm. (No flowers by request, but if desired, donations to St Petroc’s Trust, Newham Road, Truro TR1 2DP).
May Richard rest in peace and with all the faithful departed rise in glory.
