The vicar of Watton has announced he is to leave the parish in June to be nearer family in Shropshire.
Rev Geoff Garrett has been at the 12th century St Mary's Church on Church Road in the town for five years.
His last service will be on June 16.
He said the move is an opportunity to be closer to family in the village of Condover.
Last year the Rev oversaw a £500,000 refurbishment to bring the church building in to the 21st century as well as to return it to its original purpose.
Jacqui Seal, the clerk at Watton Town Council, said the news came as a 'shock'.
The chairman of the council, Paul Cooper, said how long the parish would be without a vicar is 'high in the sky'.
The council agreed a letter would be sent to Rev Garrett and his wife thanking them for their work in the town.
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