Women who were among the first group to be ordained into the Church of England 30 years ago were reunited at a special service.

The first group of women were ordained priests in a historic ceremony at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire in 1994.

“We had lots of supporters and the cathedral was packed and buzzing for this special moment,” recalls the Rev. Fiona Brampton.

He gathered with others at Ely Cathedral on Saturday to mark the “significant anniversary”.

The Diocese of Ely said women had played a significant role since their appointment 30 years ago and still had the largest number of women in official leadership.

The service was led by the Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, East Anglia’s first female bishop, and music was sung by the Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choirs.

The Rev Canon Jessica Martin said they would celebrate “the richness, diversity and creativity of what women bring to the priesthood”.

“In 1994 the then Bishop of Ely confirmed that he had ordained 26 women ‘with trust and joy’, and the ministry of these 26 women enabled the last generation of women in priestly ministry to give of themselves with trust and joy,” he said.

“Subsequent generations of priests like mine owe a great debt to the first generation”.

Rev. Brampton said that although “the landscape has changed tremendously,” there is “certainly work to be done” because many female bishops are still not accepted by some in their dioceses.

He recalled “that feeling of excitement” when his fellow trainee pastors were formally ordained 30 years ago.

“The cathedral was full of people, people from our congregations came to the service,” he said.

“We heard later that a few people were protesting at the west gate of the cathedral, but I think most of us came from the south gate.”

Now the priest in charge North Leightonstone Benefit He reflected on “what happened in those 30 years as God led me and the church through this wonderful ministry,” including congregations of Alconbury, Hamerton and Stukeleys.

He paid tribute to Suffolk-born St Etheldreda, the founder of the abbey, in front of Ely Cathedral.

“She was a wonderful saint, princess and woman,” said Rev. Brampton.

“He founded this place where there were monasteries for men and women. And I think we felt like he was following his lead and following the path that God was leading him on.”