INTERVIEW: Roger Quick.

Roger Quick, chaplain at St George’s Crypt in Leeds, discusses his new book, Entertaining Saints, and the everyday tales of faith, hope, struggle and humanity that play out there …

The Crypt was founded 90 years ago in October 1930. Can you tell us a little about the reasons behind it coming into being and also a bit about its founder, Don Robins?

Don Robins had served with the Royal Flying Corps in the Great War, and was decorated DFC.  In the years after that, he became a pacifist, and felt the call to ministry: the passion to build a better world.  He was just thirty when he came to be vicar of St George’s, and was thought young and inexperienced; the Simeon Trustees had foresight and faith enough to appoint him.

With the Great Depression, men were tramping the streets of Leeds, desperately looking for work.  Don’s heart went out to them: within a week he opened up a soup kitchen in the old burial crypt, and soon after moved some pews down from the church for them to sleep on.  For the next eighteen years he ran and extended the Crypt, cared for two churches and a school, founded the ecumenical movement in Leeds, raised a family, and in his spare time was an army chaplain, working indefatigably.  All this took a desperate toll on his health, and in 1948 he died, aged just 48.  Three thousand people lined the streets for his funeral.  Wilfred Pickles broadcast an episode of Have a Go from the Crypt the following year, from which point the charity became nationally known.       

How did you come to be involved with the Crypt? And what is your involvement now?

Like more than a third of my colleagues, I first came to the Crypt as a client.  In my case forty years ago, too drunk to be let in.  What led up to that, and what happened afterwards is another story in itself.  I came back - briefly - as a volunteer. 

Eventually I was ordained in the Church of England.  It was in 2013 that I returned to Leeds, having been in parish ministry in Scotland.  My marriage had failed, and I had had a severe mental breakdown.  Clergy are not immune.  My bishop had told me that I was unemployable.  I was on my way to Canada, to work once again as a musician.  The day I arrived in Leeds I got an email saying that the Crypt was looking for a chaplain.  On checking the website, I had missed the closing date for applications.  To be honest, I was relieved.  But it wouldn’t quite let me go, and the next day I rocked up on the front door of the Crypt.  The Centre Manager looked at me curiously.  Then he made a quick phone call.  “We’ve extended the closing date.  Come on, I’ll show you round.”  In the Crypt’s beautiful chapel, I told him my story.  All of it.  This took some time.  My interview; itself blessed and miraculous, happened over a month later, and they were daft enough to take a chance, and give me the job. What happened then is told in the first episodes of Entertaining Saints. 

In the seven years since, the Crypt has been my healing also. 

Entertaining Saints is dedicated ‘to those who hurt’. Can you elaborate on this dedication?

Nobody comes to St George’s Crypt because they want to.  It is rock bottom; when there’s nowhere else left to go.  Everyone who comes to us is grieving, hurting.  Sometimes that hides behind anger, or violence, or addiction.  Or mental illness, or bravado, or laughter.  The common factor is pain.  And there is another meaning; because sometimes people lash out in response to that pain; they hurt others.  But they too need the hope of something more.  We show love, regardless.  That is the only healing.  In the life of St George’s Crypt - in these stories - I hope that whoever reads them may also find healing for their hurt.  I have.         

In the years following the 2008 financial crisis it seems that the government policy of austerity has exacerbated the issue of homelessness across the UK. In what ways have the effects of austerity been seen at The Crypt? How badly has the city of Leeds suffered?  

When I started at the Crypt in 2013 we were providing lunch for 50-60 people a day. By 2020 that figure had about doubled.  In 2008 we thought fifteen rooms would be enough; last winter we looked after over fifty on a bad night.  Whatever the impact of austerity, the inevitable effect of COVID-19 will be greater still, and the weakest in society will suffer the most.

In what ways can vulnerable people reveal something previously undiscovered in ourselves – and in the way we interact with them?

Those who have least have frequently found that they need less.  Some of them  have learned that happiness and security is not found in owning more and more; despite the unremitting pressure of cunning advertising which tells them the exact opposite.  The courage of our people is -  every day -  intensely moving.  Their wisdom is borne of experience, and they are not heard.   

Our interaction is not about doing good to them.  It is about being alongside; being one with them.  For of such is the kingdom of heaven. 

You say ‘learning that anything can become a prayer is vital’. How does this help you in your work at The Crypt? How can this help any of us in our daily lives?

Jesus prayed Give us this day our daily bread.  If we believe that, then whatever is given us, every day - every moment -  becomes an answer to that prayer.  We are given what we need to pray.  Making the beds; washing up; listening with kindness; cooking a meal; all and any of it when done lovingly - and so given thankfully to God - is a prayer.  Anything.  It’s not about words.  It’s absolutely not about screwing your eyes up tight, saying Lord we do just, inserting pretty words and finishing with Amen.  It’s about every last thing we do, and are, and have.  Including the pretty words.  You see, God loves you.  Believe it.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to get involved in the work of The Crypt? Or in helping the homeless in their area?

First of all, pray for us.  We can’t do this work.  Not in our own strength.  Pray, as we do every day, for everyone who comes through our doors.  Pray that we may see the face of Jesus in everyone; and that they may see his face in ours.  Help us financially.  Give what you can, then give until it hurts; not just to St George’s Crypt; give to anyone who doesn’t have what you do.  And give thanks for all you have. 

If you want to be more involved, look at our website  www.stgeorgescrypt.org.uk

Or try searching simply for Homeless, volunteer.  The need is everywhere.  May you be blessed. 

Can you see any solution to the problems of those who come to the Crypt?

Almost all of those who come to us were damaged in infancy, in childhood.  We need as a society to develop a far greater concern for how we raise our children.  We need also to control the absolute evil of pervasive commercial advertising, which tells people constantly and everywhere that they will not be happy unless they possess more and more.  Pray for our children.  Do what you can; then do more.

 

Entertaining Saints: Tales from St George’s Crypt by Roger Quick is available to pre-order now. It will be released at the end of September in paperback priced £9.99.        

The superb illustrations are by Leeds artist, Si Smith. You can see more of his work here.

For more on the work of St George’s Crypt you can visit their website.