Archdeacon of Lancaster explained

The Archdeacon of Lancaster is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Blackburn. Originally created in the Diocese of Manchester it became part of the new Diocese of Blackburn in 1926.

As Archdeacon, they are responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy ^[1] within the seven area deaneries: Blackpool, Garstang, Kirkham, Lancaster & Morecambe, Poulton, Preston and Tunstall.

The post was created, simultaneously with Manchester diocese, from the Archdeaconry of Chester on 31 August 1847 but remained unfilled until 1870; and is currently vacant.

List of archdeacons

• 1847–1870: Post vacant
• 1870–1895 (ret.): William Hornby^[2] (1810–1899)
• 1896–1905 (res.): Arthur Clarke^[3]
• 1905–1909 (d.): William Bonsey (1845–1909)
• 1909–1936 (d.): Phipps Hornby (1853–1936; son of William)^[4]

The archdeaconry was transferred from the diocese of Manchester to the newly created diocese of Blackburn by Order-in-Council on 12 November 1926.

• 1936–1950 (d.): Henry Fosbrooke
• 1950–1954 (res.): Benjamin Pollard, Bishop suffragan of Lancaster
• 1955–1959 (res.): Gordon Fallows
• 1959–1966 (ret.): Charles Lambert (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1966–1980 (ret.): Geoffrey Gower-Jones (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1981–1997 (ret.): Ken Gibbons (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1997–1999 (res.): Robert Ladds (afterward Bishop suffragan of Whitby)^[5]
• 1999–2005 (res.): Colin Williams (afterwards archdeacon emeritus; born 1952)
• 2005–2010 (res.): Peter Ballard (born 1955)
• March 201122 September 2019 (res.):^[6] Michael Everitt
  • 13 April 2017present: Simon Cox, Temporary Assistant Archdeacon^[7]
• 4 February 2020present: David Picken^[8]

Notes and References

1. Meakin, T. ABCD: a basic church dictionary. Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2001
2. Web site: A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 8. British History Online. 16 June 2012.
3. Web site: A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 8. British History Online. 16 June 2012.
4. http://www.birley.org/Hornby/Descendants%20of%20Phipps%20Hornby/b6340.htm Descendants of Phipps Hornby: Phipps Hornby
5. Web site: The Rt Rev Robert Ladds . Debretts. 16 June 2012.
6. Web site: Archdeacon of Lancaster set to move to one of England's top Cathedrals | the Diocese of Blackburn.
7. https://web.archive.org/web/20170706024412/http://www.blackburn.anglican.org/clergy-moves Diocese of Blackburn — Clergy Moves
8. Web site: The new Archdeacon of Lancaster is announced | the Diocese of Blackburn.