THE Church of England’s longest-serving vicar has celebrated a career spanning six decades.

The Rev James Cocke marked the 60th anniversary of his ordination at an event attended by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Rowan Williams.

Mr Cocke has dedicated 55 years of his time with the Church to his parish at All Saints in Headington.

It was in the church hall which he hails as one of the parish’s greatest triumphs that friends gathered for tea on Sunday to mark the milestone.

Mr Cocke, 87, said: “We have managed to achieve a lot in the parish over the years.

“When I first arrived in 1957 there was just a dilapidated old building, but now we have this fine building which is used not only by the church but by the wider community.

“When I got to All Saints an enormous amount of work needed to be done to the church infrastructure and I’m very glad we did it.”

Mr Cocke, now a great-grand- father, said he had quickly realised that his time in Headington would not be short, and said he wouldn’t retire until the time was right.

He said: “It seemed to me, over the years, that what was needed was one person to guide the church into the 21st century.

“I take it month by month now. If I ever felt that I was not capable then I would retire, but having lost my wife five years ago I find it satisfying having something to do.”

Born in Banbury, Mr Cocke was ordained on May 26, 1953, at Winchester Cathedral.

In 1958, aged 30, he came to Headington from Christchurch in Dorset, and has been at the helm at All Saints ever since.

In December 2011, Mr Cocke became the longest-serving Anglican vicar in the country after the retirement of the Rev Trevor Thorpe in Essex, who was ordained nine days before him.

Lord Williams has known Mr Cocke for more than 20 years.

The pair first met when Lord Williams served as Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford University and as a residentiary canon of Christ Church Cathedral.

Lord Williams said: “What I’m constantly amazed by is that James goes on from year to year doing the same things as he ever did with undiluted enthusiasm.

“You can see the level of affection people have for him in his community, that’s something which has always moved me whenever I come to the parish.”