Peter Spivey

He served his entire ministry in the Wakefield Diocese, firstly as a curate at Dewsbury Moor Parish Church and finally at St Bartholomew’s, Meltham, near Huddersfield where he was Vicar for 25 years until his retirement in 1985.

He was also an NHS hospital chaplain for more than 50 years.

Canon Spivey was born in Hanging Heaton, near Batley, the third of four children of a stonemason. He was educated at local schools and after leaving worked at Jenkinson’s Carpet Shop, in Batley, to enable him to raise £1,000 he needed to allow him to follow his calling to the priesthood.

He attended Hanging Heaton Church as a boy where he was a chorister and later a Sunday School teacher, inspiring him to train for the Ordained ministry. He trained at Edinburgh Theological College before being made deacon in 1948 and ordained priest in 1949.

After serving his first curacy, at Dewsbury Moor, he went as assistant curate at St Mary’s Parish Church, Mirfield, where he spent three years.

On October 18, 1952, St Luke’s Day, he married Margaret Armstrong whom he met when they were members of the youth club at St Luke’s Church, Soothill, Batley.

In 1953, he took up his first incumbency as Rector of Whitwood Mere, in Castleford. Part of his ministry included being Chaplain to Castleford and Normanton District Hospital, as well as teaching at a local college.

After eight years, he moved to St Bartholomew’s, Meltham where he became only the 14th vicar in 334 years, and where he served until his retirement.

In 1979 he was appointed as Rural Dean of Blackmoorfoot Deanery, a position he held until his retirement, and in 1981 he was made a Canon of Wakefield Cathedral, becoming Canon Emeritus on his retirement.

While at Meltham, he was also Chaplain of Moorview Hospital, later becoming Chaplain at St Luke’s Hospital, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield where he continued his work until 2000.

Following his retirement he continued to play an active role in Church life, covering interregnums at many churches in the area. He built a particularly close bond with the people of St Mary and Michael, Whitley Lower, Dewsbury and in 2008 it was there he chose to celebrate the Diamond jubilee of his ordination.

His life was devoted to God and the Church and he loved its services, especially the Book of Common Prayer as well as the King James Bible. He was a traditionalist in the best sense of the word.

He was a man of strong principles, strict morals and sound judgement.

He was not afraid to speak out, but always considered carefully what he was going to say before he spoke.

He was also an avid reader and loved current affairs. He once said that if he had not gone into the ministry he might have had a career in journalism.

Outside his ministry he was a Freemason, and held several high ranking posts in the Yorkshire region. He was seen as influential in promoting the best aspects of Freemasonry by example.

Canon Spivey is survived by his wife Margaret, children Julia and Martin, and his younger sister Evelyn, his two older brothers having predeceased him.