One of the first women to be ordained as a priest at Salisbury Cathedral has returned for a personal visit thanks to her Dorset care home.

Pat Stear, who has lived at Colten Care’s Newstone House in Sturminster Newton for the past four years, travelled with carers to the spot where her ordination service took place.

The trip came amid wider celebrations in the clergy to mark the 30th anniversary of the first women’s ordinations in the Church of England in 1994.

Pat Stear, seated left, at Salisbury Cathedral with fellow Newstone House resident Ann Clarke, seated right. With them are Colten Care minibus driver Nick Myles and volunteer cathedral guide Trish. Pat Stear, seated left, at Salisbury Cathedral with fellow Newstone House resident Ann Clarke, seated right. With them are Colten Care minibus driver Nick Myles and volunteer cathedral guide Trish. (Image: Deep South Media)

At the time of her service in 1997, Mrs Stear was aged 59 and one of only 12 female priests to be ordained at the cathedral.

She went on to minister in four parishes north of Dorchester: Bradford Peverell, Stratton, Frampton and Sydling St Nicholas. 

Pat Stear, left, at her ordination service in 1997. Pat Stear, left, at her ordination service in 1997. (Image: Deep South Media)

Her time as a reverend followed periods living in Bournemouth and, for 13 years, in the United States. Her early life was spent in London.

Mrs Stear, 86, journeyed back to the cathedral by minibus accompanied by friend and fellow Newstone House resident Ann Clarke, whose husband was a priest, and Ruth Telford, a member of the home’s Companionship Team.

Helped by a volunteer guide, the party had a tour of the cathedral and saw the area where Mrs Stear would have donned her robes for the ordination service.

After her trip back, Mrs Stear said: “I found it really lovely. The more we walked round, the more the memories came back. I really enjoyed the visit.”

Pat Stear, centre, at her ordination service in 1997 joined by family members. Pat Stear, centre, at her ordination service in 1997 joined by family members. (Image: Deep South Media)

Ruth Telford added: “Mrs Stear first became interested in the ministry long before women priests were ever considered.

“As a child she was evacuated during the war to stay with a family on the South Coast.

“She expressed a wish to revisit Salisbury Cathedral and see again where she was ordained and we were only too happy to make this happen for her.”

Pat Stear, seated right, at Salisbury Cathedral with fellow Newstone House resident Ann Clarke, seated left. With them are Companionship Team memberRuth Telford and Colten Care minibus driver Nick Myles. Pat Stear, seated right, at Salisbury Cathedral with fellow Newstone House resident Ann Clarke, seated left. With them are Companionship Team memberRuth Telford and Colten Care minibus driver Nick Myles. (Image: Deep South Media)

Salisbury Cathedral held a special anniversary service on Saturday, June 15, to honour the first women’s ordinations 30 years ago.

The service was attended by four of the first female priests ordained in Salisbury along with others currently living in the diocese.