Sylvia came to Tyndale Baptist Church, Reading, in November 1989. She soon made her mark as a very gifted teacher, minister – a born leader.

In 1991 Sylvia took a team of nine members from the church to South Carolina for an exchange visit with Partnership Mission. A team from Easley Baptist Church had visited Tyndale in May 1989.

In 1994 Sylvia spent her sabbatical with an exchange visit with a church in Melbourne, Australia, and then rounded that off with a visit to friends in South Korea. On her return she brought fresh challenges to Tyndale, one of them being early morning prayers at 06.30 (in Korea it was 04.00).

During her ministry at Tyndale Sylvia was very involved with the Berkshire Baptist Association and was the President for the year 1997/98.

Although her calling was to be a ‘teacher’ she was always up for some fun – games evenings, outings, pantomimes, Christmas parties, camping with the young people, church holidays etc.

At the time that Sylvia’s Ministry began in Reading, the church was experiencing a lot of problems with keeping the old buildings repaired. In 1993 it was decided to do some major building works. Sylvia bought the manse and the Building Fund was launched. We moved into the new buildings in September 1997. Sylvia was very much the driving force behind the rebuild and also our spiritual health and growth at this time.

Following her retirement at the end of 1998 Sylvia left Tyndale and attended Abbey Baptist Church before returning to the church three years or so later. During this time Sylvia worked with the Southern Counties Association.

Sylvia continued to lead occasional services and the choir, run house groups, bible studies and discipleship courses, and play the organ and piano. Sylvia was active in the church until her health made it difficult for her to continue in 2013.

With thanks to Megan, Sue and Frank