Rev Alan Bain - Vicar

Rev Alan Bain has been the Vicar of St Philip and St James Bath for the last 27 years. He trained and practiced in Civil Engineering before training for the Anglican ministry.

He describes St Philip's as “lay led” and encourages active participation of all its members. As a result, the church has developed a wide community ministry in its own area. Alan works closely with St Philip’s Primary Church of England School next door to the church. Alan has also established links with many different countries regularly taking teams to visit them..

At present St Philip’s has regular links with Cape Town in South Africa, Prague in the Czech Republic, Bethlehem in Palestine, Mityana in Uganda and Puddokottai in India. It is also associated with other areas of the world including Romania, Croatia, Finland, Poland and Russia. Alan regularly travels in the Middle East and has recently taken groups to Egypt and Jordan. Alan describes his own drive as “mission orientated” and passionately believes in the value of linking up with churches around the world. His drive is to communicate the unique message of Christianity wherever he is and by whatever means possible.

Tim Conroy has been the Church Administrator for 16 years. He trained in sport and recreation management and was previously an administrator for a Bath nightclub. Tim has lived in Bath most of his life.

His main role is to run the busy church office, deal with bookings, general organisation and facilitate the many volunteers. He also runs the church community transport initiative through the church minibus involving over 30 different community groups in its use.

Rev Margaret Joyce - Associate Minister

Margaret Joyce is the Associate Minister at St Philip’s and deals with Pastoral and Community work in the church.  She has developed a thriving Parent and Toddler Group, a lively holiday club for local children and excels in

community events such as the Crib Service at Christmas.

She has established links with families attached to the local Youth Club. In addition, she has considerable input to the Diocese of Bath and Wells Children’s Festival in Wells.

Margaret also works as a part-time Chaplain to St Martin’s Hospital and the Royal United Hospital in Bath. She has developed a team from the church to lead regular services for patients at St Martin’s and thoroughly enjoys her dual role in hospital and church.

Margaret has taken children’s holiday club teams to work with British Army families based in Germany and has travelled with the church to Prague.

Margaret regularly leads services and preaches at St Philip’s and our second church in the Somerset Village of Combe Hay. 

Gill Skuse - Lay Minister

Gill Skuse is the only member of the team to grow up in St Philip’s Church being a part of many groups over the years. Over the past 18 years she has worked in various co-ordinating roles and now works half time for the church combining this with her other

job at the Children’s Society. She excels in journalistic skills and writes and edits the church magazine “Lookout”.  She is responsible for visual displays in the church, photography at events and communications to the Press.

She also works in the church office assisting with planning, facilitating teams, co-ordinating meetings and organising events. Gill is a Church of England Reader and regularly preaches and leads services. She is also an active member of the Worship Group and Drama Group and has travelled with the church to Palestine,  Israel, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Egypt and Jordan.

Sandra Bain - Minibus Administrator

Sandra was appointed in September 2005 for four hours a week to take charge of our minibus project. Her role is to develop our project to reach more people in the community and to ensure the minibus is properly looked after .

Sandra has been working at St Philip's for many years as a volunteer in the church office for two days a week and is temporary Administrator when Tim is away. She is a member of the team that runs our One to One lunches and also organises many church events including our Parish Weekend.