A PARISH priest has retired after more than 10 years in the role.

The Rev Janet Smith stepped down yesterday following her last Sunday morning service at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Charminster.

She had been working as the church’s parish priest for 14 years. She performed the same role for the Church of St Michael, Stinsford.

Ms Smith said the position had been a ‘gift’ to her and thanked parishioners for all they had shared together.

She said: “On the journey I have met many wonderful people. I’ve listened to them, laughed with them, cried with them and prayed with them.”

Ms Smith, originally from Eastbourne, arrived in Charminster after previously working in Ottawa, Canada.

She said: “It just looked like two good churches to come to. They looked like good churches I could serve.”

During her 14 years, she said she had faced challenges. More recently, the Church of St Mary the Virgin has undergone significant repairs following floods in January, 2014. The damage caused by the winter storms left the church closed for just over two years.

The church reopened its doors last month in time for Easter Sunday.

Ms Smith said: “We came closer together as a faith community. It’s been very good.”

Ms Smith is set to return to Canada for three weeks before starting a new part time position with the Diocese of Salisbury.

She said: “I’ll be working in parishes to help energise local ministries.”

Ms Smith will remain local and use some of her free time to paint.

Jane House, a churchwarden at the church, said: “She will certainly be missed. I think she’s been a real force to drive us forward.

“She’s really helped us grow as a church community since she’s been here. That’s been an absolute blessing to us.

“I know she’s been loved and appreciated by a lot of people, not just people who come to church. She’s been a really good parish priest.”