AFTER serving the faithful in Oxford for five decades, the Rev Paul Rimmer must have seen it all.

From the joy of weddings to the sadness of funerals, his role at St Nicholas Church, in Old Marston, saw him play a vital role in the community.

Mr Rimmer, at the ripe age of 86, still preaches occasionally at St Peter’s Church, in Wolvercote, near his home in Ulfgar Road.

And tomorrow the congregation will celebrate the 60th anniversary of his ordination as a priest with a special service.

However, the day will tinged with sadness for Mr Rimmer and his wife Joan, because next month it will be three years since their daughter died following an operation.

Grandfather-of-five Mr Rimmer said he was looking forward to the service, which will be led by the Rev Canon Bob Jeffrey. He said: “It should be a lot of fun. It seems a very long time ago that I was ordained, and I have had the most wonderful career.

“As a vicar you obviously share some very joyous occasions, but you are also there at times of terrible sadness.”

Having spent time working in India and Cumbria, Mr Rimmer took up a position in Old Marston in 1959, and has been in the city ever since.

He said: “I have many wonderful memories. The most remarkable was when a bride fainted three times during her wedding.”

The couple lost their daughter, actress Clare Rimmer, in July 2008 after complications following an operation. She was 54.

A former St Nicholas Primary School and Oxford High School pupil, she was an accomplished performer.

One of the highlights of her career was to be chosen as part of the cast of Evita in the West End, with David Essex and Elaine Paige.

Mr Rimmer said: “We still miss Clare terribly. She died following a routine operation, and it hadn’t even crossed our minds that she may die.

The couple’s son, Julian will join the celebrations.

Mr Rimmer said he still enjoyed preaching at St Peter’s. He said: “It is a lovely church with a very nice congregation and is a very important part of our lives. I feel very privileged to have lived and worked in Oxford for such a large part of my career. It is a great city.”