Mayor of Worthing James Doyle and Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley joined more than 250 people to welcome the first deacon to be in charge of a parish church.
Bishop of Horsham the Right Reverend Lindsay Urwin licensed the Reverend Jo Gavigan as deacon of St Richard's Church in Maybridge.
Hundreds packed the church for a special service before celebrations continued in the church hall.
The event was also attended by a host of representatives of community groups and organisations in the area.
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