Canon Keith Weston, who exercised one of the most influential ministries of his generation amongst students, died on February 5 at the age of 86.
He was Rector of St. Ebbe’s, Oxford, from 1964-85, where his preaching and pastoral ministry proclaimed and showed the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. His expository Bible preaching, carefully applied, was an outstanding example of such ministries gradually developing in university cities through the example and influence of John Stott. Keith’s preaching, backed by warm Rectory hospitality from Keith and his wife Margaret, touched and changed many lives.
Famous congregants
In addition to the vigorous citywide ministry, which included many families and young professionals, there were hundreds of students in the congregation — among them the former Bishops of Durham and Rochester, Tom Wright and Michael Nazir-Ali, and the Regius Professor of Moral Theology, Oliver O’Donovan. Keith was also Rural Dean of Oxford for five years, and on General Synod for ten, where he was one of its chairmen.
Keswick and other conventions
The wide appeal of Keith’s preaching led to his speaking at many student Christian Unions. It also led to his long involvement in the Keswick Convention, of which he was Chairman 1994-97. He also preached at similar conventions in Australia, Chile, Egypt, Greece, India, Japan, Kenya and Nepal.
Keith came from a godly home, and came to personal faith in Christ at a Christian (VPS) camp in 1938. He served as a Captain in the Royal Artillery in Italy and Palestine before university and training for the ministry at Cambridge. After curacies in Weston-Super-Mare and Cheltenham, he was Vicar of Christ Church Clevedon before St. Ebbe’s. After Oxford, he responded to Bishop Maurice Wood’s invitation to become Diocesan Director of Ordinands and of Post Ordination Training in Norwich, as well as Vicar of St. Stephen’s. In retirement, Keith continued to preach at Thame Parish Church until very recently, in spite of increasing frailty.
Grateful thanks
Keith was very much a family man — and musical too! He was a delightfully warm, wise and approachable Christian. My wife and I are so grateful for Keith and Margaret’s care, counsel and friendship. In speaking personally in this way, we are sure we are speaking on behalf of many, many others.
With thanksgiving for Keith, we commend Margaret, their four children and their grandchildren to your prayer.
