Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 23 August 1941

Curate Leaving

The Rev. Geoffrey Barnard, curate-in-charge of St. George’s Church, Mexborough, announced to his congregation last week-end that he had accepted a curacy in London, under the Rev. P. T. R. Kirk, Rural Dean of Westminster and Director of Industrial Christian Fellowship.

Mr. Bernard will be one of a small staff who will be responsible for two or three parishes in Westminster. Mr. Bernard came to Mexborough nearly four years ago from Norton Lees, Sheffield, with the Vicar of Mexborough, the Rev. E. H. P. Rawlins, whose curate he had been in Sheffield.

He is the son of the late Dr. Claude Bernard, of Bristol, grandson of Dr. E. M. Grace, and great nephew of the famous cricketer, Dr. W. G. Grace. Mr. Bernard was educated at Clifton College, Bristol University, where he graduated B.A. in 1933.

He received his theological training at Ridley Hall, Cambridge and was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Sheffield at Sheffield University Cathedral in 1935, after which he became curate at Saint Pauls, Norton Lees. He was ordained priest in 1936.