The new vicar was welcomed to the parish with a special ceremony by the country’s first female bishop.

Parishioners have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new vicar Rev Dr John Harries, who has become the first vicar of a new benefice created last October with Sutton and three other amalgamated parishes,

It includes St James in Sutton, St Michael in Wincle, St Saviour in Wildboarclough and St Mary the Virgin in Bosley. John’s appointment has been welcomed by church members who have been without a vicar for many months since the former vicar Rev Vereena Breed left the parish.

Rev Harries, who came to the parish from his former role at St John the Evangelist, High Walton near Warrington, was formally appointed with a special service at Sutton St James conducted by Bishop of Stockport, Rev Libby Lane, the country’s first female bishop,

She inducted Rev Harries into the benefice and The Archdeacon of Macclesfield Ian Bishop installed him as the new vicar for the parish.

Rev Harries said: “It was a lovely service, the way everyone got together in joy. It was a real celebration.

“We are looking forward to the new benefice we’ve created.

“Sutton has been a long time without a vicar and they have been superb during the vacancy,

“My main vision is to unite all four parishes and build a sense of trust and mission as we move forward.

“I’ve been really welcomed so far, they are wonderful communities.”

Rev Harries, who is married to Judith and has three daughters, is living in Wincle at the moment but in the autumn will move into the new vicarage being built in Sutton.

“It’s being built in part of the former garden for the old vicarage at Church Lane, Sutton. The old vicarage and the remainder of the garden was sold to a family last summer.

Rev Harries said: “I’m enjoying living in Wincle for now and this is my way of saying that I’m equally committed to all the parishes.

“I want to get to work on creating a united parish.”