Reverend John William Sweed (16 Jul 1935 - 27 Sep 2025)
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Reverend John William
ST MARY'S PCC TICKHILL
£20.00
+ Gift Aid of £0.00
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Funeral Director
- Location
- Barnby Moor Memorial Park & Crematorium Diggles Lodge Lane Barnby Moor DN22 8FL
- Date
- 16th Jul 2025
- Time
- 1pm
In loving memory of Reverend John William Sweed who sadly passed away on 27th September 2025.
It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of Reverend John W. Sweed, aged 90. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, and a much-loved parish priest, John’s ministry and friendship touched many lives over five decades.
Born at the South Hants Hospital, Southampton, on 16th July 1935, John was educated at Bitterne C. of E. Infant and Junior School and later at Itchen Grammar School. At 16, he began work at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, where his career included flights as an observer - an experience he often recalled with pride, especially his involvement with the Avro Vulcan. His work at RAE was interrupted by National Service, primarily spent in Northern Ireland from 1953 to 1955.
Sensing a call to ministry, John trained at the Bernard Gilpin Society, Durham, and Clifton Theological College, Bristol. He was ordained at Lichfield Cathedral in 1962. His curacies were served at St Julian’s, Shrewsbury (1962–64) and St John’s, Sheffield (1964–70).
In 1970 he became Vicar of St James, Doncaster. In 1979 John was appointed Vicar of St Lawrence Church, Hatfield, where he ministered faithfully until his retirement in 2000.
John’s ministry was marked not only by his pastoral care but also by his vision for the church’s future. He founded the Hatfield Church Building Trust and conceived the idea and design of the Hatfield Millennium Window. The window, which was unveiled in October 2000 continues to inspire and uplift worshippers and visitors today. John remained active in ministry even after his official retirement, offering support wherever it was needed.
John had a great sense of humour. This came over in his public speaking and also in the way he presided over some church services, especially those centred on family worship.
He was a keen sportsman, playing rugby for his college, cricket and golf for Sheffield Diocese, being part of a winning team at an annual Ecclesiastical Insurance golf tournament near Oxford. He enjoyed tennis and croquet as well. As a teenager he was Shot Put champion of Southampton and a marksman during national service.
He will be remembered as a man of faith, integrity, and kindness, whose devotion to both people and parish left a lasting mark on each community he served.
John is survived by his wife, two sons, three grandchildren & two great grandchildren, who are deeply grateful for the many messages of sympathy and remembrance. He will be greatly missed.
John's funeral and thanksgiving service will be at St. Mary's Church, Tickhill on 24th October @ 11.30am.
wrote
A lovely service yesterday for a lovely man. His warmth and humour were attractive and helped draw people to Jesus, who he spent his life talking about. The words of this Sunday's reading are apt for John: 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day..'
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donated £20 in memory of Reverend
In memory of a faithful pastor and preacher of the gospel.
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wrote
Thoughts and condolences to all the Sweeds at this time.
John was a very significant influence and force in my life, and particularly the teenage years, which are always tricky!
I always felt welcomed, challenged and loved around all the Sweed family. John specifically provided guidance and support during those years.
I’ll never forget how John would moan about how loud our band was. Would refer to us as ‘Footpads’ rather than ‘Footprints’. But was always helping out, giving us somewhere to rehearse and play.
It was one of the most special moments when I could actually marry within St Lawrence and by John himself. Such a wonderful memory.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all those memories. I hope I still live my life considering your guidance.
Love. Paul Sharp and family.
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Condolences to Noreen, Julian and Tim, and further family, for your loss. I remember with huge fondness a man of faith, compassion and humanity. Vicar Sweed was such a significant figure in my childhood. I know of many acts of kindness towards me and to my parents, which still deeply touch me. Fond memories of choir practice, which would always end with the beautiful Walford Davies's 'God Be in My Head'; I would see the Vicar, eyes closed, and know what Christian faith was, leaving a deep impact on me. Always good-humoured and never self-centred. It was a great pleasure to see John again, and eat fish and chips together, when I gave a concert in Doncaster. May he rest in peace.
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John was a very nice person and friend to have known I will always think about him and his family all the best if you ever need to talk to me I will always be here from Mark Johnson
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wrote
John Sweed stood apart as a religious leader A giant of a man who was always on the side of the underdog, he helped my family enormously, and remembered them years later. A favourite story which he always remembered was when he married my sister and found out my brother in law was a massive Doncaster Rovers fan. Knowing how nervous they were he came up with the ultimate icebreaker. He said I can marry you at 11am, you can start the reception at 12, finish at 2.30, and that still gives you time to get to the match at 3pm. By the way we lost 2-0 to Crewe and my brother in law never made it to the match!!! Most importantly, my sister and brother in law still speak with such fondness about John Sweed today and how kind he was. Absolute quality, a brilliant leader, and most importantly a lovely man. RIP John, you were the best !!
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wrote
So sorry to hear the sad news that John Sweed has passed away. I have known John many years, from singing in the church choir in Hatfield and later him marrying myself and my husband in 1991. John was such a kind and funny man, my condolences go to Noreen and all the family.
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John was a great vicar and was well liked by all he was devoted to the community he was not shy to ask the people in the church to did into their pockets. I say that in a nice way
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wrote
So sad to hear of John's death. He married my husband and I at St James Church Doncaster 54 years ago. RIP
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