A SOLICITOR from Harpenden has been ordained as St Albans’ new Mormon bishop.

Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently appointed Charles Farnsworth, 38, as bishop of the organisation’s St Albans ward.

The Mormon congregation encompasses St Albans, Borehamwood, Hatfield and Harpenden.

Although Charles works as a solicitor for a law firm in London, his service as bishop will see him providing up to 30 hours in voluntary ministry work a week.

While the church itself is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mormons have been established in the UK since its missionaries arrived in 1837.

The church’s presence in St Albans dates back to 1849.