A VICAR saying goodbye to parishioners in Barton said she would miss the people “more than anything” as she leaves for a new challenge.

Rev Maggie Thorne said she was “called by God” to move on after being at the helm of St Mary’s Church, in Bayswater Road, for the past three years.

Prior to Before becoming a vicar Mrs Thorne was a music teacher in Abingdon, but then became a curate in Reading, and joined Barton’s parish aiming to bring spiritual growth to the estate.

The 56-year-old said: “I’m leaving Barton because I was called elsewhere. The call is from God and I have felt that it is time to move on and so I have decided that my time is done at this parish.”

In 2012 Rev Thorne joined the Barton community and aimed to engage young people and work to keep the church at the heart of the community.

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But the mother-of-two said her time was up in Barton and she was now embarking on a new challenge as Rector of the United Parish of Chinnor, Sydenham, Aston Rowant and Crowell.

She added: “I will look back at my time in Barton with affection and with gratitude. There are some lovely people here and I will hold them fondly in my heart.

“I have made some dear friends and I will miss them all. They are all trying to be good Christians with the church. I have no regrets; I have enjoyed my time in Barton.”

Rev Thorne said she had found memories of her time in the estate and hoped she had left a legacy that can be carried o.

She added: “I think part of my legacy here is with my teaching and the project REinspired, in which I formed a team with the churches in Headington and we went into toschools and promoted religious education, which went really well.

“It’s now grown and it will continue to grow in my absence.”

While a successor has not yet been chosen, churchwarden Sheila Fulham said Mrs Thorne “would be missed very much” but the community was pleased she had found another parish to continue her work.

Mrs Fulham added: “She is a lovely person and we wish her all the best – she will be sorely missed.

“We hoped she could stay longer, but she has been given an opportunity so we hope she will do well.”

Barton resident Sue Holden said the Rev Thorne had done “a lot of good things in the community” and was willing to help anyone.