An Anglican priest has returned to the Keighley area to take responsibility for St Stephen’s Church in Steeton.

The Reverend Jenny Savage started her church career in 1999 as curate of St Michael and All Angels Church in Haworth.

She later became Haworth’s rector, and in 2009, left to become priest-in-charge of Thornton-in-Lonsdale and Burton-in-Lonsdale, near Ingleton.

She was also responsible for developing hospitality for visitors to churches in her deanery for the past four years.

The Rev Savage was licensed in her new role on Monday at a service involving the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev Nick Baines, and the Archdeacon of Craven.

She was due to lead the St Stephen’s mid-week service yesterday, and will lead her first Sunday service at the church at 10am on Sunday.

The Rev Savage described the move to Steeton as a calling from God.

She said: “I wasn’t looking for change, it was a chance conversation that made me think it was right. A lot of things fell into place.

“St Stephen’s is a very well-organised church so it will be good to lead them forward in growth, getting to know the community and work with the young people and elderly.”

The Rev Savage, who grew up in Baildon, has a husband, Ed, and four grown-up children, Robert, Judith, Matthew and Lucy.