Archdeacon of Blackburn

The Archdeacon of Blackburn is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Blackburn. Originally created on 17 August 1877^[1] within the Diocese of Manchester, the office became a part of the new Diocese of Blackburn upon her creation on 12 November 1926.^[2]

As archdeacon she or he is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy^[3] within the seven area deaneries: Accrington, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Leyland, Pendle and Whalley.

The post is currently vacant following the retirement of John Hawley.

List of archdeacons

• 1877–1885 (res.): Edward Birch (c. 1814–1886; first Archdeacon)
• 1885–1899 (res.): Robert Rawstorne
• 1900–1901 (d.): Francis Cramer-Roberts, assistant bishop (died 1901)
• 1901–1916 (d.): Robert Fletcher
• 1916–1920 (res.): Willoughby Allen
• 1920–1921 (d.): Edward Richardson
• 1922–1936 (d.): Atherton Rawstorne, Bishop suffragan of Whalley

The archdeaconry was transferred from the diocese of Manchester to the newly created diocese of Blackburn by Order-in-Council on 12 November 1926.^[2]

• 1936–1936 (res.): Henry Fosbrooke
• 1936–1946 (ret.): Richard Newman
• 1946–1959 (res.): Charles Lambert
• 1959–1962 (d.): Arnold Picton
• 1962–1973 (d.): Norman Hodd
• 1973–1986 (ret.): Desmond Carroll (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1986–1996 (ret.): David Robinson^[4] (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1996–September 2001 (res.): John Marsh
• 2002–31 July 2015 (ret.): John Hawley
• 31 July–aft. September 2015 (Acting): Roger Smith^[5]
• bef. November 2015–February 2016 (Acting): Timothy Lipscomb^[6]
• 14 February 2016–present:^[7] Mark Ireland^[8]

References

1. The London Gazette: no. 24495. pp. 4789–4791. 17 August 1877. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
2. The London Gazette: no. 33220. p. 7321. 12 November 1926. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
3. "ABCD: a basic church dictionary" Meakin, T: Norwich, Canterbury Press, 2001 ISBN 978-1-85311-420-5
4. "Church Times". Retrieved 2012-06-28.
5. Lancashire Telegraph — Warm welcome for historic Hyndburn churches' new vicar (Accessed 31 January 2016)
6. The Parish of Adlington St Paul — Notices, Sunday 8 Nov 2015 (Accessed 31 January 2016)
7. National Archdeacons' Forum — Archdeacons’ News, January 2015 (sic) (Accessed 31 January 2016)
8. Diocese of Blackburn — New Archdeacon of Blackburn is announced (Accessed 27 November 2015)