John Short (1976-1990)

In 1976 John Sinclair Short (1933-2014) arrived with his wife Sheila and his children Angie, Ruth and Steve to become the eighth Vicar of Christ Church. John Short had previously worked in the Bank of England before being called to ordained ministry.

In the years that followed, his clear and dynamic preaching was a key factor attracting vast numbers of people to the church. Those who worshipped at Christ Church during this period report that it was often ‘packed to the rafters’. Another characteristic of John Short’s ministry was his belief in church discipline. Clear about the biblical principles of running a church, John Short was determined to be obedient to these convictions.

The photos below show John Short outside and inside Christ Church.

Photo of John Short standing across the road with Christ Church in the background

John Short in the Nave at Christ Church, hands on the pews either side of the aisle

This one shows John and Sheila outside the Vicarage.

Photo of John and Sheila Short outside the vicarage

Another shows John at a PCC meeting with Ian Young, who was Churchwarden for eleven years between 1973 and 1984.

John Short talking to churchwarden Ian Young at a PCC meeting

The serious illness of John Short

During the summer of 1987, John Short was struck down by brainstem viral encephalitis. For a time it was feared that he would die. Special prayer meetings were held and Sheila Short received particular support from her husband’s secretary, Stella Dutton. There was great rejoicing at Christ Church when John Short eventually passed out of danger and after six months out of action, he was able to return to work in January 1988. Congregation members spoke of a gentler side of the Vicar that now became evident. He would frequently become emotional during sermons and also made the decision to join a Home Group.

The story later developed that John Short’s earlier sabbatical in Africa between June and September 1985 was when he contracted the illness. Both the time frame involved and the existence of a mini-epidemic of viral encephalitis in the Kingston area at the time that John became ill, make this highly unlikely.

After his dramatic illness, John Short’s health was never the same again. In 1990, at the age of 57, he left Christ Church to take up the role of Vicar of St Mary’s Peldon with Great and Little Wigborough in Chelmsford Diocese. The photo below shows John and Sheila Short gathered together for a farewell lunch with the Churchwardens who served during their time at Christ Church and their wives.

Photo of John and Sheila Short with the churchwardens who served during his time at Christ Church

John retired at the age of 60 in 1993. The Shorts returned to Christ Church for the fiftieth anniversary of Women’s Own in 1996 with a photo taken of John with his predecessor as Vicar, Peter Coombs and successor, Stewart Downey.

Photo of Peter Coombs, Stewart Downey and John Short taken in 1996

John died in 2014 at the age of 81, but we were delighted that Sheila and her daughter Ruth were able to join us for our 150th Anniversary celebration in December 2016. Sheila and Ruth were also able to join us for the official opening of our new entrance in November 2018.

Photo of Sheila and Ruth Short at the opening of the new entrance to Christ Church in 2018

The picture below shows the family on the new bench that was dedicated in memory of John Short.

Photo of Sheila and Ruth Short on the bench dedicated to John Short

Photo of the inscription on the bench dedicated 'in loving memory of Canon John Short, faithful vicar of Christ Church 1976 - 1990'

	Peter Coombs	Building CCNM 1976-90	Stewart Downey