Our Clergy

Our Clergy

Revd Canon David King SSC

Vicar

Fr David trained at St Stephen's House in Oxford and has served in Bexhill and Eastbourne before coming to be Vicar of St Richard's (and Rector of St Marys Balcombe).

He is married to Hilary and they have four grown up children.

Prior to ordination Fr David was a teacher, teaching in Crawley before moving to a special school for children with cerebral palsy.

He enjoys cycling, playing badminton, cricket and stoolball. He is also learning to play the saxophone.


Revd Canon Rebecca Swyer

Deacon

Revd Rebecca works for the Diocese of Chichester as Director for Apostolic Life and has responsibility for both ordained and lay Christians to further their spiritual journey.

A member of General Synod, she is also chair of the Board of Studies at St Augustine’s College of Theology, an associate lecturer at the University of Chichester and a Canon of Chichester Cathedral.

Rebecca is married to Fr David, who is Priest in charge of the parish church of Portslade. They have three grown up children: Lizzie, Charlie and Nick.


Fr Gordon Bond SSC

​​Honorary Assistant Priest

Fr Gordon trained at Chichester Theology College. Originally from Yorkshire he spent most of his ministry in the South of England and mainly in the Diocese of Chichester.

During his ministry he was Chaplain to Bishop Colin Docker, Bishop of Horsham and spent a large part of his ministry at St Mary, East Grinstead.

​Since retiring Fr Gordon has made St Richard's his spiritual home whilst enjoying some time to travel and keeping his fluency in French, Italian and German

Retired Clergy


We are blessed at St Richard's to have a number of other retired clergy who have made St Richard's their spiritual home and who support the work of the parish.

Revd Canon Clay Knowles SSC

Fr Clay trained at Rippon College, Cuddesdon. During his ministry Fr Clay was the Vicar of St Paul's Cathedral on the Island of St Helena for three years before coming back to the UK to be Team Vicar at the Good Shepherd. He then became the Adult Education Advisor for the Diocese of Chichester. He was also Vicar of St John the Evangelist, Burgess Hill.

Fr Clay is married to Jackie; they have two grown up children and several grand children.

Revd Canon John Twisleton SSC

Fr John trained at the Resurrection, Mirfield. During his ministry Fr John was the Theological College Principal in Guyana in the West Indies. Moving back to the UK he was the Diocesan Mission Advisor for a number of years. Prior to his retirement Fr John was the Rector at St Giles Church, Horsted Keynes and Chaplain to the Bluebell Railway.

Fr John is married to Anne and has three sons: David, John and James

Revd Canon Lambert Poodhun SSC
Fr Lambert is married to Ivy, they have grown up children and several grandchildren.