A Watford vicar has said he will miss the town’s people the most as he leaves the position after 11 years.

This Sunday, June 9, will be Reverend Tony Rindl’s last service at St Mary's Church as he is moving to become vicar in Marston Green and Area Dean for Yardley and Sollihull, outside Birmingham.

“It’s been a real privilege leading St Mary’s Church,” he said. “We have such a wonderfully diverse congregation and a great ministry in terms of those who are more vulnerable in our community.

Watford Observer: Reverend Tony Rindl has been the vicar of Watford since 2013.Reverend Tony Rindl has been the vicar of Watford since 2013. (Image: St Mary's Church)“It’s such a really exciting and lovely place to minister.”

Tony took on the position in 2013 and has also filled various roles in the community, including as governor for St John’s Church of England Primary School and trustee for the Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership.

In 2016, he travelled with former Watford Grammar School for Girls headmistress Dame Helen Hyde to France to take vital supplies to the Calais “jungle” refugee camp.

Tony married the Reverend Catherine Da Costa in the summer of 2023 and they have spend their spare time between his Watford vicarage and her Curate’s House in Harpenden.

The move will take him back to the city where he grew up and he said he is looking forward to being closer to his family and friends.

Watford Observer: Packing up supplies to take to Calais in 2016.Packing up supplies to take to Calais in 2016. He added: “I will miss Watford and a lot of things about the life of the town, but especially the people.

“But I’m only going up the M1, so I will definitely keep in touch with a lot of people.”

Before he joined the church, Tony worked across the UK as a mineral and mining surveyor working in quarry management and construction.

Watford Observer: Veterans with Reverend Tony Rindl (second from left) and Luther Blissett (second from right).Veterans with Reverend Tony Rindl (second from left) and Luther Blissett (second from right). (Image: Lauren Fox)He then trained for his ordination at St John's College, Nottingham, and served as the Area Dean in Colne, Lancashire, in 2003.

Speaking ahead of his last service this Sunday, Tony said: “I’m looking forward to seeing people, not only regular colleagues, but other people who have been part of the journey over the last 11 years.

“I’m hoping to see many of the friends I’ve made over my time here.”