At the Institution Service in St John's Parish Church, Dromara on Tuesday 23rd September are L to R: Thelma Steele (Churchwarden Garvaghy), Bill Norris (Churchwarden Dromara), Revd Charlie Leeke (New Rector & New Area Dean), Mrs Beryl Leeke, Rt Revd Harold Miller (Bishop of Down and Dromore), Rita Fee (Churchwarden Dromara) and Eric Lutton (Churchwarden Garvaghy).	At the Institution Service in St John's Parish Church, Dromara on Tuesday 23rd September are L to R: Revd Canon Charlie Leeke (New Rector & New Area Dean), Rt Revd Edward Darling, Rt Revd Harold Miller (Bishop of Down and Dromore), Ven John Scott (Archdeacon of Dromore), Revd Canon Fred Graham (Preacher), Revd Simon Doogan (Diocesan Registrar) and Revd Gill Withers (Bishop's Chaplain).

The Revd Canon Charles Leeke was instituted as the Rector of the Grouped Parishes of Dromara and Garvaghy by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Revd Harold Miller at a Service of Institution in St John's Parish Church, Dromara on Tuesday 23rd September. Canon Leeke, who has covered the vacancy at Dromara and Garvaghy since March 2007, succeeds the Rev Alan Millar who moved to St Comgall's, Rathcoole in September 2006. He is married to Beryl, a retired Primary School Advisor with the Western Education and Library Board; their grown up family consists of 3 boys and 2 girls.

The church was filled to capacity for the service with parishioners, family, friends and supporters of Revd Leeke. The Preacher was the Revd Canon Frewith whom Revd Leeke has worked in the past.

Born in Aghadowey, Mr Leeke worked as an Art Teacher at Bangor Secondary School in the 1960s and was Warden at the Ardnabannon Outdoor Pursuit Centre, Castlewellan (1967-1970). In 1970 he was appointed Development Officer with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. In 1980 he commenced his studies for the ministry; he was ordained in 1983 in St Polycarp's, Finaghy and his first curacy was at Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin (1983-1986). He went on to become rector of Eglinton (1986-1997) and later rector of Omagh and Mountfield Parishes (1997-2000). In 2000 he was appointed Development Officer for Reconciliation in the Diocese of Down & Dromore (Think Again Team) and retired from this position in 2006. During his retirement he covered the vacancy at Gilford Parish and since March 2007 he has covered the vacancy at Dromara and Garvaghy.


24/09/2008