Father John Glynn is a priest of the Diocese of Brentwood [see www.dioceseofbrentwood.org] in Essex & East London, England in the United Kingdom and is currently Parish Priest at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Wickford .

He was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, in 1948 and was brought up in Wanstead in East London, the eldest of six children. After primary education at St. Joseph's Convent in Wanstead and St. Ignatius Preparatory School (now Loyola School) John graduated to St. Ignatius' College, Stamford Hill, North London.   Despite this strong Jesuit influence, he chose to train for the diocesan priesthood in 1966. 

While studying at St. John's Seminary, Wonersh, near Guildford in Surrey, John met a fellow student, Colin Murphy, and together they wrote three songs, John providing the words for Colin's melodies.  The third song, written in January 1970, was "Close To You (I watch the sunrise)".  Since then, the song has featured on radio and  television, in concerts and churches all around the world, including the score of an Australian film, an album of Daniel O'Donnell,  "Faith and Inspiration", a 2004 episode of "Coronation Street" [Britain's longest running TV soap opera], and the BBC Three 2005 documentary, "Gypsy Wars". 

It wasn't long before John was teaching himself to play the guitar and composing music as well writing lyrics.  After he was ordained priest in 1974, John's first appointment was to St. Helen's Parish in Westcliff-on-Sea.  Kevin Mayhew and Joan McCrimmon of the music publisher, Mayhew-McCrimmon, were directing the liturgical music in the parish and beginning to produce the "20th Century Folk Hymnal".  When they heard some of John's compositions, they immediately wanted to include them in their publications.  Since then, John Glynn's musical works have been published in many collections, notably "Celebration Hymnal" and "Hymns Old and New".

In 1991, John Glynn recorded his first album, "May the Lord Bless You", which was issued on stereo cassette.  Later that year, he joined with others to form the Aquila Music Trust, which went on to produce a songbook to accompany the cassette.  In November 2005. the album was re-issued in CD format, again accompanied by the songbook. 

John continues to be an enthusiastic composer, getting inspiration from his faith, especially the Word of God in scripture,  and finding God present in the people and experiences he encounters.  Quite a number of compositions have yet to be published or recorded and John decided to share these works via the publication of 2 new CD's, "Open the Door" and "Watch the Sunrise".

"Open the Door" was recorded in August 2006 and is now on sale. "Watch the Sunrise" is scheduled for recording in August 2008.

Portrait photograph © 2004 Stephen Lynch. Church photograph © 2005 Clive Thomas.