A WELL-KNOWN Wrexham vicar has been reflecting on and celebrating 25 years since he was ordained.

Rev. Dr Jason Bray has been based at St Giles' Church in Wrexham for the last eight years.

Alongside his everyday work in the church, Rev. Bray is also well-known for banishing spirits from people's homes.

In 2021, he released a book called Deliverance, which detailed his time as a Deliverance minister helping those who feel they may be haunted, cursed or possessed.

This year marks 25 years since Rev. Bray was first ordained as a vicar.

The Leader caught up with him to discuss some of the standout moments over those years, as well as how the Wrexham community has become a 'home' for him.

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Rev. Bray grew up in Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales and that was where his love for the church first began.

He said: "It's been a part of my life for a very long time. I was in the church choir and I realised that it was something that I needed to do and was called upon to do.

"When I was ordained, it felt as though I had found the missing piece of the jigsaw. It was like a growing realisation that this was exactly what I needed to do in life."

After studying Theology in Durham and Cambridge where he also trained for the ministry, Rev. Bray was ordained in the Church in Wales 25 years ago.

He then served for 13 years as Vicar of Blaenavon, as well as three years in Newport and also spent two years as a curate in Abergavenny before arriving in Wrexham in 2015.

Asked about how St Giles' Church has changed during his time there and what makes Wrexham such a special place to work in, Rev. Bray replied: "The people are very open, welcoming and friendly. Wrexham isn't a place that takes itself too seriously.

"It just feels like home, it's become my special place if you like.

"As for St Giles, it's just such an amazing place to work. I still walk in through the doors most mornings and think 'wow, I work here'.

The Leader: Reverend Jason Bray.

PIC: Rev. Dr Jason Bray outside Blaenavon Church.

"Over the years, there has been an interesting change in the profile of our congregation here. It is now much younger and much more diverse."

Asked about the moments that stand out for him during his time in Wrexham so far, Rev. Bray added: "Meeting the King (Charles III) was such an amazing thing to have happen. Having him come here was incredible. I think it was the first time since 1640 or so that we had had a monarch here.

"Another highlight was the Angel Festival we held here a few years ago. That gave people such an overwhelming sense of hope and it was lovely to see people come in and spend time in the church for that.

"Obviously meeting Rob (McElhenney) and Ryan (Reynolds) was very exciting too and all the deliverance stuff which has led to me writing my own book.

"Getting to know people has been the best part of the job."