Revd David Jones

It was with much sadness that we learned the passing of alumnus Revd David Jones on Wednesday, 30 August 2023. Obituary and photograph by David’s daughter Kate.

David Ian Stewart Jones was born in Blackburn in 1934, the son of a young Welsh curate and his Scottish wife. His brother, Nigel, was born in 1935. He was educated at St John’s School, Leatherhead, followed by National Service in the Royal Signals. He read Christian Theology at Selwyn College, Cambridge and trained for the ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge.

In 1959, David started his ministry back in Lancashire, as a curate at St Mary’s Parish Church in the cotton town of Oldham. Together with his fellow curate, Christopher Courtauld, he was much involved in the two church schools and in youth work. In 1962, he moved to become Vicar of the Parish of All Saints, Elton, Bury and built up a strong church community.

In 1966, he accepted an appointment to Eton College as Assistant Chaplain and Conduct, and in 1969 was appointed Senior Chaplain and Conduct. As one of his Bury parishioners remarked: “There must be an ‘L’ of a difference between Elton and Eton”.

Whilst at Eton, David initiated the Eton Dorney Project, a joint ministry between Eton College and the parish of Dorney, set up and run by Roger Royle, with the aim of bringing together Etonians and young people from deprived areas of London.

In 1967, he and Sue were married, and in 1970 they adopted their twins, Ben and Kate.

In 1974, David was appointed Headmaster of Bryanston School, Blandford in Dorset. This was to be the start of what he later regarded as the peak of his career.

In 1982, he became Rector of Bristol City Parish, with responsibility for the ancient parishes of All Saints, St Stephen’s and Christchurch. These were not community churches but attracted eclectic congregations, and he missed the community life which he had experienced since ordination. Therefore, in 1985, he moved to London to be Director of the Lambeth Endowed Charities which made social and educational grants to Lambeth residents, schools, and students.

He retired in 1999, and he and Sue moved to Milford on Sea, Hampshire.