"As a chaplain, my primary aim is to love unconditionally”
Reverend Dr Evan McWilliams has been appointed as the new hospitaller and chaplain for St Bartholomew’s Hospital, splitting his role between the hospital and the parish church.
Evan grew up in the United States and studied to be an architectural historian at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Originally intending to be an academic, he was awarded a PhD in History of Art from the University of York in 2016.
Evan said: “Despite my best laid plans, I discerned God’s call to priesthood during my time in York and moved to Durham where I trained for the priesthood at Cranmer Hall.
“As a chaplain, my primary aim is to love unconditionally. I’m eager to listen and learn, getting to know patients and staff as deeply and truly as they wish.
“Along with my fellow chaplains, I will support staff and patients wherever they are in their journey and whatever their needs may be.”
In his spare time Evan enjoys socialising, reading history and biography, and exploring new places.
He loves getting to know people too.
“Feel free to say hello if you see me,” Evan says.
What is a hospitaller?
The ancient role was first occupied at St Bartholomew’s during the reign of King Henry VIII when the hospital became a parish in its own right.
The hospital, Britain’s oldest, was granted by Henry to the City in 1546 on the condition that its chapel become a parish church – called St Bartholomew’s the Less – serving the people of the hospital.
It was at this time that the hospitaller role was formally established.
The hospitaller supervised the food bought for the patients to ensure that everyone got their fair share, whilst the vicar took care of the parishioners, which would include staff and residents of the hospital site.
The two positions were combined in the time of William Orme, the Vicar from 1670-97, and have been held jointly by successive clergy ever since.
Now they combine ministry duties in the parish, including weddings, funeral and baptisms, with a chaplaincy at the hospital.
Trust chaplains visit patients and relatives on the wards, often when they are seriously ill, dying or recently bereaved and provide confidential support to hospital staff.
Watch Rev’d Dr Evan McWilliams introducing himself below (courtesy of St Bartholomew's the Great):
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