Kelvin Woolmer is a man with an Olympic-style team-building mission for Bedford.

In addition to being the new Rector of St Peter de Merton with St Cuthbert, Kelvin has the Diocese-double task of setting up a whole pastoral community team for the town centre. 

The former rugby-playing police officer started his life in the church as a chaplain for construction workers at the 2012 Olympics: “It was a fantastic time to be involved with some many people from all backgrounds, working together for the common aim of showcasing the best of world sport. The team I led on the Olympic Park dealt with people at all levels.”

Moving from Waltham Abbey in Epping Forest, he and his wife Jean are settled into the Rectory off St Peter’s Street and are making new friends. She is a a published author and can be found at jeanfullerton.com

Kelvin wants to link up to businesses in the town centre and made his first contacts through one of the BedfordBID Breakfasts held at the Park Inn this summer. 

“It was great to see the work the BID has done in pulling together all the information around work being done for the homeless in Bedford. I hope we at St Peter’s can be a part of the project solution.”

“The idea of a pastoral team isn’t about selling religion but will be made up of people from different faith groups,” said Kelvin.

Another part of the business plan for Kelvin is to increase the number of weddings held at his church: “People are often put off even asking about having a wedding in a church if they are not regular church goers, or are divorced. But I would like to see people making more use of this fabulous building to make their marriage vows. I would be delighted to talk to people about how they can marry within our walls. If they are divorced and I can put them at ease about their eligibility to remarry in church.”

Rector St Peter de Merton with St Cuthbert
De Parys Avenue
Bedford MK40 2TX
01234 347563 Rectory
01234 360301 Church Office Monday & Thursday