years, in January 1865. Dr Parfitt was also vicar of St Benedict's Church, Glastonbury, until this became a separate cure in 1845. Charles Sydenham Ross was a curate at Glastonbury for seven years, until succeeding Dr Thomas Parfitt as vicar in 1865. Mr Ross was noted as having been "of Scotch extraction, born at sea off the coast of Portugal". He died during a service at Glastonbury Parish Church on Christmas Eve, 1893 and a local newspaper remarked, "The manner of his death was beautifully touching, for he sank quietly to rest as his congregation were singing the Nunc Dimittis". Mr Ross had been unwell for many months and the bulk of the work in the parish had been carried out by the Reverend H.L Barnwell, who was to succeed him. Henry Lowry Barnwell was licensed as a curate to Saint John's in 1889. He served as vicar for 18 years, until his death in 1912 and in the following year, a beautifully designed oak screen was erected to his memory in the side chapel. Charles Victor Parkinson Day volunteered for service soon after the outbreak of World War One, as a chaplain to the forces, his rank being equal to that of colonel. Consequently, although he was Vicar of Glastonbury for nine years, more than half of this time was spent in France, Mesopotamia and other war areas. The Reverend Herbert Davies took charge of the parish during his absence. Mr Day remained with the troops for the duration of the war and was appointed a CBE. He died suddenly at Clifton in 1921. Lionel Smithett Lewis was a prominent member of the Church Anti-vivisection League (founded in 1889) and also a founder of Blue Cross, which campaigned against the inhumane treatment of horses at the front during the First World War. Following his appointment as Vicar of Glastonbury in 1921, he developed a passionate interest in the Holy Grail and the legends of Joseph of Arimathea and became a well-known author on the subject. Mr Lewis was succeeded by Bernard F Cooper, who had been vicar of Bathwick and Rural Dean of Bath and then by Hugh William Hartly Knapman, who had been vicar of Long Ashton since 1938. Alan Clarkson later became Archdeacon of Winchester. Current Ministry and Profile The current vicar of Saint John's, Glastonbury is the Reverend David MacGeoch, assisted by the Reverend Sister Diana