David steps down after 50 years as church treasurer

Monday April 3rd 2023

David Scholes OBE, who has stood down after 50 years as treasurer, with the Rev Trevor Johnston, rector, St Nicholas and All Saints (left); and the Rev Peter Blair, curate, St Nicholas and All Saints.

The work of David Scholes OBE, who has stepped down after 50 years as treasurer in All Saints’ Parish Church, Belfast, was described by the Bishop of Connor as ‘the fruit of a sincere Christian faith.’

This achievement was marked at the first Easter General Vestry of the new United Parish of St Nicholas and All Saints. David has served alongside four rectors, beginning with the Rev Canon Sydney Smart in 1973.

The present rector, the Rev Trevor Johnston, commended David on this notable attainment. “David has that rare combination of gifts in church treasurers of carefully accounting for every penny but was also a visionary who didn’t want us to be a ‘rich church’ but rather spend for the glory of Christ and the spread of his gospel,” Trevor said.

“He didn’t let money be the determining factor as to whether the church should do something or not. Rather, he let the money follow the ministry.

“I am grateful for his being a very good friend, encourager, confidant and giving wise counsel over my almost 10 years as rector.”

Pictured at the presentation to David Scholes OBE who has stood down after 50 years as treasurer are, from left: Dr Andrew Scholes, David’s son and newly appointed Honorary Secretary of St Nicholas and All Saints’ Church, Belfast; The Rev Trevor Johnston, rector, St Nicholas and All Saints; Mrs Heather Scholes; David Scholes OBE; and the Rev Peter Blair, curate, St Nicholas and All Saints.

David said it had been ‘an honour’ to serve in All Saints. “Fifty years may seem a long time, but there was always lots to do, which, with hindsight, made time fly,” he commented.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of the transformational journey of All Saints, from a normal city parish to one where it is now able to contend for Christ in a modern multicultural and diverse inner-city area.

“Many churches did not survive the enormous upheaval of the Troubles and the social change in the seventies and eighties. I am convinced All Saints has been preserved, by the Lord, for a reason – to act as a stimulus to spiritual re-generation in the city of Belfast.”

David continued: “This is a real-life challenge and one which the new St Nicholas and All Saints’ Church is uniquely placed to meet by staying focused on the truth of the Bible and looking to the Lord for his provision. It also has a constructive blend of the ‘energy of youth’ and the ‘temperance of age’ to help address the problems that will arise.”

The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison, in noting David’s achievement over half a century, said: “I want to add my words of thanks to those of the people of St Nicholas and All Saints as David Scholes completes 50 years in the role of treasurer of All Saints’, Belfast. It seems remarkable that one who still looks so fresh could have held that office for such a long time!”

The Bishop continued: “David’s commitment to serve the Church is the fruit of a sincere Christian faith and I thank him for all his work in managing the financial resources of his parish to promote the work of the gospel in South Belfast.”