Archdeacons in the Diocese of Chelmsford explained

The Archdeacons in the Diocese of Chelmsford are senior ecclesiastical officers in the Church of England in Essex and East London. They currently include: the Archdeacon of West Ham, the Archdeacon of Colchester and the archdeacons of Chelmsford, of Barking, of Stansted and of Southend. Each one has responsibility over a geographical area within the diocese.

History

When the diocese was created, it consisted of the ancient archdeaconries of Essex and Colchester. The first changes to the diocese's archdeaconries occurred on 17 March 1922 when the Archdeaconry of Southend was created from the old Essex archdeaconry and that old archdeaconry renamed to West Ham: at its erection, the 1922 Southend archdeaconry consisted of the Deaneries of Barstable/Brentwood, of Canewdon and Southend, of Chelmsford, of Chigwell, of Dengie, of Harlow, of Maldon, of Ongar, of Roding, and of Wickford. West Ham archdeaconry was further split in 1993^[1] to create the Archdeaconry of Harlow following a 1989 decision of the Diocesan Synod.^[2]

As part of Stephen Cottrell's vision for the diocese's long-term future, consultations occurred on proposals to create three new archdeaconries.^[3] On 1 February 2013, by Pastoral Order of the Bishop of Chelmsford, the three archdeaconries were created: the new Archdeaconry of Stansted from Colchester archdeaconry, a new Archdeaconry of Barking from West Ham archdeaconry and a new Archdeaconry of Southend created from Southend archdeaconry after it had been renamed the Archdeaconry of Chelmsford.^[4] Initially, the Archdeacons of Colchester, of West Ham, and of Chelmsford were also Acting Archdeacons of Stansted, of Barking, and of Southend respectively.

In April 2024, it was announced that Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, would dissolve the vacant Harlow archdeaconry, dividing its territory: Harlow deanery joining Stansted archdeaconry and the Deanery of Epping Forest and Ongar joining Chelmsford archdeaconry.^[5] The Bishop's Pastoral Order effecting the changes was sealed on 15 April 2024 and took effect immediately.^[6]

List of archdeacons

Archdeacons of Essex and of West Ham

• 2007–present: Elwin Cockett

Archdeacons of Colchester

• 2010–present: Ruth Patten

Archdeacons of Southend (before 2013) and of Chelmsford

Archdeacons of Southend

• 1922–1937 (ret.): Percy Bayne (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1938–1953 (ret.): Ellis Gowing (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1953–1972 (ret.): Neville Welch (also Bishop suffragan of Bradwell from 1968)
• 1972–1977 (res.): Peter Bridges
• 1977–1982 (res.): John Moses^[7]
• 1982–1992 (res.): Jonathan Bailey^[8]
• 1992–2000 (res.): David Jennings^[9]
• 20011 February 2013 (renamed): David Lowman^{[10] [11]}

Archdeacons of Chelmsford

• 1 February 201331 January 2016 (ret.): David Lowman
• 13 March 2016October 2022 (ret): Elizabeth Snowden^[12] (retired on or after 2 October 2022)^[13]
• 4 November 2023present: Jonathan Croucher^[14]

Archdeacons of Harlow

• 1993–1996 (res.): Michael Fox
• 1996–2009 (ret.): Peter Taylor
• 200931 March 2017 (ret.): Martin Webster
• 24 September 201731 March 2023 (retired): Vanessa Herrick^[15]

The Archdeaconry of Harlow was dissolved on 15 April 2024.

Archdeacons of Barking

• 1 February15 September 2013: Elwin Cockett, Archdeacon of West Ham (Acting)
• 15 September 20133 July 2018: John Perumbalath^[16] (became area Bishop of Bradwell)
• 12 May 2019present: Chris Burke^{[17] [18]}

Archdeacons of Stansted

• 1 February15 September 2013: Annette Cooper, Archdeacon of Colchester (Acting)
• 15 September 201330 September 2023: Robin King^[19]
• 4 November 2023present: Kate Peacock

Archdeacons of Southend (since 2013)

• 1 February15 September 2013: David Lowman, Archdeacon of Chelmsford (Acting)
• 15 September 201331 December 2016 (ret.):^[20] Mina Smallman
• 19 March 2017November 2021 (ret.):^[21] Mike Lodge (Acting since 1 August 2016)^[22]
• 26 June 2022present: Mike Power^[23] (Acting since November 2021)

Notes and References

1. See window image.
2. http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/assets/files/Nathan/Nov%20Synod/06%20LRG%20Recommendations%20Paper%20Final%20Version%20for%20Synod.pdf Diocese of Chelmsford – Transforming Leadership
3. http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/uploads/Post-Consultation-Letter.pdf Stephen Cottrell – Proposals to create new Archdeaconries in the Diocese of Chelmsford
4. http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/areas-and-bishops/newarchdeaconries Diocese of Chelmsford – Archdeaconries in the Diocese of Chelmsford
5. Web site: Diocese of Chelmsford . Decision regarding the Archdeaconry of Harlow . https://web.archive.org/web/20240512062727/https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/decision-regarding-the-archdeaconry-of-harlow . 12 May 2024 . 5 August 2024 .
6. Web site: Diocese of Chelmsford . Diocesan Synod papers, 15 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805161454/https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/uploads/files/Diocesan_Synod_15_June_2024.pdf . 5 August 2024 . 5 August 2024 .
7. Web site: Anglia Ruskin . 2010-03-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091004032446/http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/microsites/honorary/moses.html . 2009-10-04 . dead .
8. http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=67454 Church Times
9. http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=64887 Church Times
10. http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/roles-and-contact-details.html Chelmsford Diocese
11. Web site: The Ven the Archdeacon of Southend's Biography . Debretts. 29 June 2012.
12. http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/new-archdeacon-of-chelmsford-appointed Diocese of Chelmsford — New Archdeacon of Chelmsford appointed
13. Web site: Diocese of Chelmsford . The Archdeacon of Chelmsford, Elizabeth Snowden, announces her retirement . 18 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220927162626/https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/the-archdeacon-of-chelmsford-the-venerable-elizabeth-snowden-announces-her- . 27 September 2022 . 27 September 2022 .
14. Web site: Diocese of Chelmsford . Chelmsford Diocese welcomes Bishop Adam, Archdeacon Kate and Archdeacon Jonathan . 4 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105210342/https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/service-of-welcome-for-the-bishop-of-bradwell-and-the-archdeacons-of-stansted-and-chelmsford . 5 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 .
15. http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/newarchdeaconofharlowappointed Diocese of Chelmsford — New Archdeacon of Harlow appointed
16. http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/new-archdeacons-join-strong-team Diocese of Chelmsford – Three new Archdeacons appointed
17. Web site: New Archdeacon of Barking appointed | Chelmsford Diocese.
18. Web site: New Archdeacon of Colchester appointed | Chelmsford Diocese.
19. Web site: The Archdeacon of Stansted, Robin King announces his retirement . Diocese of Chelmsford . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509213212/https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/the-archdeacon-of-stansted-the-venerable-robin-king-announces-his-retirement . 9 May 2023 . 21 May 2023 .
20. http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/archdeacon-of-southend-to-retire-at-the-end-of-2016 Diocese of Chelmsford — Archdeacon of Southend to retire at the end of 2016
21. Web site: The Archdeacon of Southend, the Venerable Mike Lodge, announces his retirement from full time ministry. 2021-12-01. Diocese of Chelmsford. 13 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210913220858/https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/the-archdeacon-of-southend-the-venerable-mike-lodge-announces-his-retiremen. live.
22. http://www.parishofrayleigh.org.uk/People Parish of Rayleigh — Meet the Rayleigh Team
23. Web site: Power appointed as the new Archdeacon of Southend . Diocese of Chelmsford . 26 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527084421/https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/article/the-revd-canon-mike-power-appointed-as-the-new-archdeacon-of-southend . 27 May 2022 . 27 May 2022 .