Putney church’s first Black curate resigns after racist abuse at parish supper

A curate at one of south-west London’s best-known churches has resigned after saying she was racially abused at a parish supper. The Revd Sharon Hunt was the first Black curate in the 700-year history of St Mary’s Church in Putney.

What happened

Ms Hunt, who had been acting as team vicar, says the abuse happened at a parish supper in September. Her resignation letter was read to the congregation at St Mary’s, the riverside church next to Putney Bridge.

The Church’s response

The Archdeacon of Wandsworth, Bridget Shepherd, said the incident was unacceptable. The Diocese of Southwark says pastoral support has been offered to Ms Hunt and that its safeguarding team is involved.

St Mary’s is one of the most historic churches in London. It hosted the Putney Debates in 1647 and stands at the start of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race course.

Sources: The Times, Diocese of Southwark, St Mary’s Putney, via Religion Media Centre.

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