Archdeacon of Bristol

The Archdeacon of Bristol is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Bristol. The archdeaconry was created – within the Diocese of Gloucester and Bristol – by Order in Council on 7 October 1836^[1] and became part of the re-erected Diocese of Bristol on 8 February 1898.^[2]

As archdeacon he or she is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy^[3] within three area deaneries: Bristol City, Bristol South and Bristol West. The post is currently vacant; the Archdeacon of Malmesbury is additionally acting Archdeacon of Bristol.

List of archdeacons

• 1836–1873: Thomas Thorp^[4]
• 1873–1881: Henry Randall^[5]
• 1881–1891: John Norris^[6]
• 1891–1904: Hemming Robeson^[5]

In 1898, the archdeaconry was transferred from Gloucester & Bristol diocese to the new Diocese of Bristol.

• 1904–1910: Ravenscroft Stewart
• 1910–1921: James Tetley
• 1921–1927: Charles Dickinson
• 1927–1938: William Welchman (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1938–1941 (res.): Charles Alford
• 1941–1950: Ivor Watkins (Bishop suffragan of Malmesbury from 1946)^[7]
• 1950–1967: Percy Reddick (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1967–1979: Leslie Williams (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1979–1990: Anthony Balmforth (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1990–1998: David Banfield
• 1999–July 2012: Tim McClure^[8]
• December 2012–present: The Archdeacon of Malmesbury (Acting)^[9]
  • from January 2013 until 1 April 2015, Derek Chedzey was part-time Assistant Archdeacon for the diocese.^[10][11]

References

1. The London Gazette: no. 19426. pp. 1734–1738. 7 October 1836. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
2. The London Gazette: no. 26936. pp. 756–758. 8 February 1898. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
3. "ABCD: a basic church dictionary" Meakin, T: Norwich, Canterbury Press, 2001 ISBN 978-1-85311-420-5
4. "The Venerable Thomas Thorp (1797–1878), Fellow, Tutor, Vice-Master and Archdeacon of Bristol (1836–1873)". BBC. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
5. "Gloucestershire Archives: Online Catalogue". Gloucestershire County Councill. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
6. "Rev.Canon John Pilkington Norris 1823 - 1891". Retrieved 7 July 2012.
7. "London Gazette" (PDF). Retrieved 7 July 2012.
8. "Tim McClure to retire in summer 2012". Diocese of Bristol. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
9. "Appointments". Church Times (#7814). 21 December 2012. p. 58. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 7 June 2014. (subscription required (help)).
10. Diocese of Bristol – Appointment of Assistant Archdeacon (Accessed 13 March 2014)
11. Diocese of Bristol – Changes at Diocesan Office (Accessed 24 June 2015)