THE MUCH-LOVED Vicar of a Wrexham church says he has 'loved' watching the city 'rise from the ashes' over the years as he departs for a new role down south.

Rev. Canon Dr Jason Bray has been appointed to the post of the Dean of Llandaff Cathedral.

He has been appointed to that role by the Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt Revd Mary Stallard.

Rev. Bray is originally from Merthyr Tydfil, and he has served his entire ordained ministry in the Church in Wales since his ordination by Bishop Rowan Williams in 1997.

With a doctorate in Theology and a passionate interest in Biblical scholarship, systematics and mediaeval and reformation history, Rev. Bray is a published author.

He is also well-known for carrying out deliverance - aka banishing spirits from people's homes - and appeared in the popular Welcome to Wrexham TV series discussing that.

Down the years, Wrexham and St. Giles have become Rev. Bray's home.

This week, the Leader caught up with him to say some final goodbyes before he departs for his new role in Cardiff.

Talking about the community, Rev. Bray said: "I have loved being in Wrexham: it's people are amazing, it's now a city with an exciting future, and St Giles' is the most amazing parish church in Wales. It's going to be a massive wrench leaving, and I'll carry this place in my heart."

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He added: "Being offered the new job as Dean of Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff was a big shock for me. But I'm from South Wales originally, so I know the cathedral well, and Cardiff is up there with Wrexham as one of Wales' greatest cities, so I consider myself lucky to have worked in both.

"Highlights from my time in Wrexham must include meeting Ryan and Rob, taking part in 'Welcome to Wrexham', and hosting King Charles and Queen Camilla at St Giles' when they came to confer city status. But just being in the church and chatting to people makes my heart sing more than anything else.

"I've loved being here to see Wrexham rise from the ashes, and sorry I'll miss the next exciting chapter!"

Welcoming Rev. Bray's appointment as the new Dean of Llandaff, the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Rev. Gregory Cameron, added: “St Asaph will be very sorry to lose Dr Jason Bray who has done phenomenal work with St Giles Church in Wrexham, but our loss will be Llandaff’s gain as they say. Jason will be an excellent dean for an important cathedral in the life of Wales.”

Rev. Bray and his family plan to move into the Deanery down in Cardiff in July.