Rev. Lynn Davidson Appointed as Official Chaplain to Goodison Park

The close relationship between Everton Football Club and the adjoining church of St Luke the Evangelist has been further strengthened by the appointment of Rev. Lynn Davidson as the official Chaplain to Goodison Park.

The role was previously held by Rev. Harry Ross, who was a huge supporter of the Blues up until his passing in 2019.

Rev. Davidson, who recently presided over the Kevin Campbell Memorial Service, intends to use her appointment as an opportunity to remind the local community that St Luke’s is a physical part of the Goodison Park footprint and will continue to be so for many years.

“That’s never been more relevant or important as the transition to the new stadium takes place and people may take comfort in that,” she said.

“St Luke’s is there for the community and anything that we can do to help people during this transition for the club, we will. It’s not just something we’d like to do; we see it as a responsibility because I think there’s going to be all sorts of concerns. 

“People feel in general that Everton Football Club has always been here as a part of this community and they are worried about the impact when the club is no longer here. There will be a sense of bereavement and so it’s going to be crucial for a church to be sitting there in the community saying, ‘we’re here to help you if you’d like us to.’

“Another aspect of the Chaplaincy is that if the links are seen to be strong between St Luke’s and Everton, then people in the community will be more likely to engage with the church and use us to help them.”

The church is attached to both the Howard Kendall Glwadys Street Stand and the Main Stand, and the church hall is a hive of activity on match-days when the Everton FC Heritage Society display their splendid stalls and memorabilia.

The church also has a remembrance garden, which backs onto the Howard Kendall Glwadys Street Stand, where ashes of Everton fans from all over the world are placed.

“The garden is still very much a part of St Luke’s,” confirmed Rev. Davidson, “and we have been delighted to work closely with Everton in the Community, as they begin to help restore the garden to its original beauty.  We are incredibly grateful to them.”

The church was packed for the Kevin Campbell Memorial Service and it was an occasion that Rev. Davidson appreciated being a part of.

“Obviously, there was a sadness to it because so many people felt Kevin’s loss, but it was lovely to see his family, his former fellow players, and supporters come together to remember him and it was a celebration of his life that, I am sure, he would have wanted people to enjoy.

“And for it to be in the shadow of Goodison Park, where he was adored, was most appropriate. I’ve never come across a church joined to a football ground before! I think it’s great.”