Welcome - In Fellowship and Faith

Our Vicar – Rev David Murray

A twin, Dave was Born in Hexham, Northumberland. Following secondary education he joined the Royal Navy and spent the following 30 years+ in uniform, retiring from active service as an Executive Officer having served in various capacities in NATO and the British Embassy abroad.

Dave met his wife, Sally in Hong Kong and they were married in 1981. They have two grown up boys, William and Oliver and a granddaughter.

Land duties took Dave to admin roles in the C Of E and the Royal British Legion and he has lived in Altrincham a stones throw from St Margaret’s, for a number of years. Indeed both of his boys were educated here. Dave has also been director of coaching and head of rugby in Morley RC,  Bowdon RUFC and Manchester University.

Dave’s faith has never been in question but his ordination has been long, having first been advised as a young 15 year old by his parish priest in the North East to gain some worldly experience before taking those steps to ordination.

On leaving the RN, Dave found himself working for the Bishop for Urban life and Faith  in Manchester. It was here where Dave met Revd Canon Albert Radcliffe an Examining chaplain and Canon Theologian, in Manchester Catherdral. They were to remain friends for 20 years.

Following one of the many lunches at the Cathedral Albert simply asked Dave “how his tooth ache was progressing“. Dave knew what he meant and the thought of Ordination was in reality never far away. Dutifully, Dave did something about it and we have been blessed to have him as our curate since 2022 and now hail him as our Parish Priest.

We know Dave finds it a delight being at St Margaret’s and looks forward to working in our church and Parish community. We are fortunate and blessed to have him and Sally.