Descendent of scholar who translated Bible into English to be vicar at St Mary Redcliffe

A vicar believed to be directly descended from William Tyndale – the 16th century scholar who first translated the Bible into English – is to lead the congregation at St Mary Redcliffe.

Reverend Daniel Tyndall, 51, worked at the Bristol church 12 years ago, but next month will return in the top job.

He will be inducted and installed as vicar at the church by the Bishop of Bristol, the Right Reverend Mike Hill, at a service next month.

From 1996 to 2001 Mr Tyndall served at St Mary Redcliffe as an associate vicar – a role in which he assisted the then vicar in certain areas of responsibility within the church.

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For the past four years Mr Tyndall has been rector of Caversham in Berkshire where he successfully merged and strengthened two struggling parishes, making them “fit for purpose” in readiness for the arrival of their new incumbent.

Mr Tyndall is enthusiastic about returning to Bristol and the parish he grew to love during his first five years in Redcliffe.

“Compared with the learning curve which faces most vicars in new parishes, I am thrilled to be returning to a place I know. Much will have changed in the intervening years but I am hopeful that my knowledge will enable me to get on with the job immediately.”

Mr Tyndall believes he is descended from the family of Gloucestershire-born William Tyndale (sometimes spelt Tyndall).

William Tyndale, who grew up near Dursley, became a leading figure in Protestant reform in the years leading up to his revolutionary Bible translation, but was later executed, after being tried on a charge of heresy in 1536.

The Church has come a long way since the days of his forefather, and for Mr Tyndall, part of the appeal of St Mary Redcliffe is the way it successfully combines traditional Anglican liturgy and choral worship with a stance which he describes as “theologically liberal”.

He said: “The challenge is to ensure we continue to make the church and our faith directly relevant in the fast-changing society of the 21st century. The parish is a fascinating mix of local people – both residents of the tower blocks to the south of the church and the waterfront properties to the north – as well as staff and pupils from the two church schools and people working in local businesses.”

“Alongside all this, the church draws in many people from other parts of the city and beyond.”

Proposed changes for the setting of St Mary Redcliffe Church, placing it within its own pedestrian precinct, are welcomed by the new incumbent. “I am very interested in the vision outlined by Bristol’s mayor George Ferguson when he delivered The Canynges Society’s Inaugural Lecture at St Mary Redcliffe in January.

“I think there is much we can do together to help make his dream of the Brunel Mile become a reality.”