Our Clergy

Fr David King SSC
Vicar

Fr David trained at St Stephen's House in Oxford and has served in Bexhill and Eastbourne before coming to be Vicar of St Richard's (and Rector of St Marys Balcombe).

He is married to Hilary and they have four grown up children.

Prior to ordination Fr David was a teacher, teaching in Crawley before moving to a special school for children with cerebral palsy.

He enjoys cycling, playing badminton, cricket and stoolball. He is also learning to play the saxophone.

Revd Canon Rebecca Swyer
Deacon

Revd Rebecca works for the Diocese of Chichester as Director for Apostolic Life and has responsibility for both ordained and lay Christians to further their spiritual journey.

A member of General Synod, she is also chair of the Board of Studies at St Augustine’s College of Theology, an associate lecturer at the University of Chichester and a Canon of Chichester Cathedral. 

Rebecca is married to Fr David, who is Priest in charge of the parish church of Portslade. They have three grown up children: Lizzie, Charlie and Nick. 

Retired Clergy
We are blessed at St Richard's to have a number of other retired clergy who have made St Richard's their spiritual home and who support the work of the parish.

Canon Clay Knowles SSC

Fr Clay trained at Rippon College, Cuddesdon. During his ministry Fr Clay was the Vicar of St Paul's Cathedral on the Island of St Helena for three years before coming back to the UK to be Team Vicar at the Good Shepherd. He then became the Adult Education Advisor for the Diocese of Chichester. He was also Vicar of St John the Evangelist, Burgess Hill.

Fr Clay is married to Jackie; they have two grown up children and several grand children.

Canon John Twisleton SSC

Fr John trained at the Resurrection, Mirfield. During his ministry Fr John was the Theological College Principal in Guyana in the West Indies. Moving back to the UK he was the Diocesan Mission Advisor for a number of years. Prior to his retirement Fr John was the Rector at St Giles Church, Hostead Keynes and Chaplain to the Bluebell Railway.

Fr John is married to Anne and has three sons: David, John and James

Canon Lambert Poodhun SSC

Fr Lambert is married to Ivy, they have grown up children and several grandchildren.