Leadership
Rev Jo Smith - Vicar
Jo has been our vicar since December 2019. She is a southerner by birth but a northerner at heart, having been up here since she came to University in Salford.
She longs for people to know the difference that Jesus can make to their lives. Before joining us here, she was curate in Horwich and prior to that was a Youth & Children's Minister in 2 different churches.
Jo enjoys spending time with family, friends and her many godchildren, travelling, cooking and she even tries her hand at growing fruit and veg in the vicarage garden! She is also chaplain to Ironman (a long distance triathlon race, and no she hasn't done one!).
Rev Paul Howard - Curate
Paul is passionate about helping people to explore and grow in their faith and to feel connected to the church family. He and his wife, Alex, have two grown up daughters and one school-age son.
Paul has been part of Euxton Parish Church since moving to the area in 2013 and he was an Authorised Lay Minister before he began to explore ordained ministry. In addition to serving at church, Paul works full-time. In his spare time - such that that is! - he enjoys reading, listening to podcasts and exercise.
Rev Julia Gordon - Associate Minister
Julia has joined us from Harwood in Bolton as she and her husband Rob moved to the area in 2025. She was originally a Reader in Harwood, but was ordained in 2017. When they moved, it was always Julia’s intention to continue the ministry that God had called her to do and trusted God to lead her to the church where He meant her to be and she now considers Euxton Parish Church to be her spiritual home!
In addition, Julia has a heart for pastoral care and outreach and loves to bring people to know the love of Jesus.
They have two grown-up children (who have flown the nest) and two grown up cats (who haven’t!)
Our Churchwardens
Martin Shaw
Lisa Butcher
PCC
Meet our current PCC members