Fr Bryan Wells

Father Bryan Wells

Fr Bryan was brought up in Tottenham, North London. He studied music at Goldsmith’s College, New Cross, and it was there that he met his future wife, Teresa. After college, both he and Teresa began teaching, Fr Bryan secondary music, and Teresa infants.

He trained for ordination in the Church of England at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, West Yorkshire and was ordained to a curacy at Leigh-on Sea, Essex. He then continued as a worker-priest (teacher) and assisted at St Peter’s, Limpsfield, Surrey, continuing further study in Religious Education at Masters level. This was followed by a second curacy in Weymouth, Dorset, where he was also chaplain to the FE college, and finally a post as Team Vicar for almost nine years, in the Selsdon (South Croydon) Team Ministry.

Fr. Bryan was received into full communion with the Catholic Church in 1997, and, after formation at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, was ordained priest in 1999. He then assisted at St Marks’, West Wickham, and was chaplain at Bishop Challoner School, Shortlands, followed by a year at Coloma Convent School, Croydon.

Fr Bryan was instituted by Bishop Patrick Lynch as Priest in Charge of St James’ in November, 2006.

He and Teresa have three grown-up sons – Matthew, Tim, married to Dominique, and Dominic. They now have three grandchildren – Jennifer (Feb 07), Rebecca (Nov 08) and Susannah (Mar 11).