HE’S known every Bishop of Portsmouth we’ve ever had – and he’ll be helping to install the latest one.

Leslie Jacobs, who was verger at Holy Trinity, Fareham for 60 years, and will be helping at the bishop's installation service (photo courtesy The News)

Leslie Jacobs, now 85, was verger at Holy Trinity Church, Fareham, for 60 years. He got to know each bishop from their visits to his church and the fact that they parked in his church car park. And he developed a tradition of taking sweet peas to the bishop’s house for their wives or mothers.

He was a verger at the enthronement service for the Rt Rev Kenneth Stevenson – the previous Bishop of Portsmouth - in 1995 and he’ll be verging at the installation of the Rt Rev Christopher Foster. He’s one of 1,100 worshippers expected to celebrate the arrival of our new bishop on September 18.

The Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth was created in 1927, and its first bishop, the Rt Rev Neville Lovett, was in post until 1937. Leslie had joined the choir at Holy Trinity Church at the age of eight and became verger there in his mid-20s.

“The bishops used to park their cars in Holy Trinity churchyard and go across the road to get their hair cut,” he said. “I’ve verged every one of them at Holy Trinity Church, and I’ve got to know the past five really well.

“Bishop Launcelot Fleming started a youth group at Holy Trinity and was keen on getting youth work going in the diocese in the 1950s. Simon Burrows was our vicar at Holy Trinity, and of course it was his grandfather, Neville Lovett, who was the first Bishop of Portsmouth.”

He’ll see Bishop Christopher become the ninth Bishop of Portsmouth at the service, which starts at 3pm on September 18.

The service will start as Bishop Christopher arrives at the west door of Portsmouth’s Cathedral, dressed simply in white robes. Young people from across the diocese and cathedral canons will then dress him in a cope and mitre, and present him with a crozier and ring to signify his new role.

He will then be taken to the bishop’s throne in the cathedral and officially ‘enthroned’ by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Ven Sheila Watson, on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The first thing that happens after that will be a reminder by a child of Jesus’ words that we are all first and foremost children of God.

Bishop Christopher will preach, and young people from across the diocese will lay hands on him to silently pray for his ministry.

After the service, the entire congregation will be invited to follow Bishop Christopher out of the west doors, reminding them that they carry the gospel out into their communities. Portsmouth Cathedral Choir will sing an anthem and Bishop Christopher will pray for the diocese.

“This will be a very special occasion with a great deal of symbolism, all of which will remind me of the privilege and responsibilities that go with my new role,” said Bishop Christopher.

The next day, September 19, there will be a welcome service at 3pm in Newport Minster. The service of Evensong will be led by the Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, the Ven Caroline Baston, and include a welcome from the Lord Lieutenant, Mjr Gen Martin White, and from the Island Church Leaders’ Forum. Children from Newport C of E Primary School and Oakfield C of E Primary School will lead the prayers. Bishop Christopher will preach and will present medals from the Royal School of Church Music to choristers during the service.

Bishop Christopher has also recorded a DVD, filmed in various locations around his new diocese, which will be played during or after Sunday services across the diocese on September 19. In many churches, his message will replace the sermon, allowing him to communicate with thousands of churchgoers who won’t have been able to attend his installation service. To request a copy, click here.

Video footage and photos from the installation service should be on this website by September 20.