The congregation of Mansfield’s historic Old Meeting House Unitarian Church have appointed their first female minister, the Rev Maria Pap.

In another first, the new minister is the first in Mansfield from the Eastern European Unitarian movement of Romania and Hungary.

Old Meeting House trustee Pauline Smith, wife of retired Unitarian minister the Rev Derek Smith said: “We are delighted to welcome Maria to become our minister, having very much enjoyed her visit earlier this year where she led a service and joined in with congregational activities.

“We are privileged to be able to appoint as our minister someone who has broken new ground in female ministry in the Transylvanian Unitarian Church and who has served as the secretary to the bishop of the denomination in that part of the world.”

The Rev Pap added: “This appointment is a great honour and I hope it will be a great opportunity, both for the congregation and for me.

“I bring an outsider’s perspective, but our common faith and values will be a bridge between our cultural differences and could give us a fresh look on ourselves and our calling.”

“As Unitarians, both in Mansfield and all around the world, we have a long history of openness and acceptance, and we strive to be a caring and welcoming community for whoever is in search of a spiritual home.”

Old Meeting House deputy chairperson Paul Frost said: “Unitarians have a tradition of breaking new ground and standing up for people who encounter discrimination and injustice.

“We have been long-term advocates of social justice and social progress.

“Unitarians have historically been active in standing up for women’s rights and in opposing racial and religious discrimination.

“We are blessed to be able to appoint an excellent female minister from Eastern Europe with very good English language skills and shared values with our Unitarian and Liberal Christian congregation.”

The new minister’s induction service will be celebrated on Saturday, 14th July, at 2pm, after she leads some Sunday services in June.