College of the Resurrection


The College of the Resurrection, popularly known as Mirfield, is an Anglo-Catholic theological college of the Church of England in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England.
The college was founded in 1902 and describes itself as "A Theological College like no other". The college has close links to the Community of the Resurrection. It trains men and women in the Anglo-Catholic tradition for the priesthood.
WWW Official Site

Daily life

All resident students are expected to attend Matins and Evensong six days a week. On most days the college says Matins and celebrates Low Mass in the college chapel and joins the Community of the Resurrection to sing Evensong. Saturday is the normal day off each week when there are no obligations. On Sundays, students are expected to join the community for Matins and the Solemn Mass.
The college and community of the Resurrection maintain liturgical worship in the Catholic tradition using vestments and incense.
Later in the morning, students normally go to a local parish church as part of their pastoral formation.
Single students live at the college, married students in nearby houses owned by the college. The married-student houses range in size from two to four bedrooms and none are more than a ten-minute walk from the college.

University of Durham

The college, along with YTEP, began a new relationship with the University of Durham in 2020. This partnership provides a variety of learning programmes, from the Common Awards to a variety of masters programmes.

Yorkshire Theological Educational Partnership

The Yorkshire Theological Educational Partnership, was established in 1970 as the North West Ordination Course. It was renamed in 1980 as the Northern Ordination Course. It took students from the dioceses of Chester, Blackburn, Liverpool and Manchester. It opened dialogue with the College of the Resurrection in 1996, establishing an Eastern arm in Yorkshire at the College of the Resurrection.
In 2008 as a result of the reconfiguration subsequent to the Hind Report, the Northern Ordination Course separated from its Manchester base remaining established at Mirfield. It was then renamed the Yorkshire Ministry Course and became located on the Mirfield site along with the college, centre and community. Now, the rebranded YTEP department serves the Dioceses of Leeds, of Sheffield and of York.

Programmes

The following programmes are offered in partnership with the University of Durham:
  • BA in Theological Studies
Normally three years full-time, but candidates who have a good honours degree in a subject other than theology, or the equivalent of Level 1 in theological study, may be admitted to the degree at Level 2 and so complete the course in two years.
  • MA in Ministry and Theology
One year full-time, two years part-time or three and a half years on a professional development pathway. This is available for ordination candidates and others who have a 2.1 or above in a first degree in theology/religious studies. Humanities, social science or other subjects are considered, where the applicant can show evidence of relevant experience, background or private study in theology.
  • MA in Ministry and Biblical Studies
One year full-time, two years part-time or three and a half years on a professional development pathway. This programme allows students to draw on the expertise of the Department of Biblical Studies at Durham, while following a programme of study that maintains a focus on the practice of ministry.
  • MA in Liturgy
One year full-time, two years part-time or three and a half years on a professional development pathway. This programme allows students to focus their studies on liturgy, while still offering the opportunity to draw from other areas of theology and biblical studies.
  • Research degrees: MA by Research, MPhil, PhD
Candidates may apply via the college for a research degree of the University of Durham, provided that appropriate supervision can be arranged either at the college or in the Department of Biblical Studies at the university.

Ecumenism

The college has had a long relationship with other Christian traditions, accepting students from many denominations outside of the Anglican Communion. Here are some examples:

Teaching staff

  • The Reverend Dr Dorothea Bertschmann – Academic Dean, Lecturer in Biblical Studies
  • The Reverend Fr Tony Carroll – Lecturer in Ethics
  • The Reverend Fr David Babbington - Dean of Pastoral Studies
  • The Reverend Dr Jo Kershaw - Lecturer in Liturgy
  • The Right Reverend Mark Sowerby - Principal

List of principals

PeriodPrincipalNotes
1902−1908The Reverend Fr Caleb Ritson CR
1908−1922The Reverend Fr Bernard Horner CR
1922–1928The Reverend Fr Timothy Rees CRAppointed Bishop of Llandaff in 1931
1928–1933The Reverend Fr Wilfrid Shelly CR
1933–1940The Reverend Fr Thomas Haney CR
1940–1947The Reverend Fr Joseph Barker CR
1947−1949The Reverend Fr Douglas Edwards CR
1949–1955The Reverend Fr Andrew Blair CR
1956–66The Reverend Fr Hugh Bishop CR
1966–1975The Reverend Fr William Wheeldon CRLeft the Community of the Resurrection in 1976 to return to parish ministry
1975–1984The Reverend Fr Benedict Green CR
1984–1990The Reverend Fr Denys Lloyd CRLeft the Community of the Resurrection in 1990 to join the Roman Catholic Church
1990–1997The Reverend David LaneAn Anglican priest who was an oblate, rather than a professed member, of the Community of the Resurrection
1998–2007The Reverend Christopher IrvineNot a member of the Community of the Resurrection; now Canon Librarian of Canterbury Cathedral
2008–2011The Reverend Joseph KennedyNot a member of the Community of the Resurrection; now Vicar of St Saviour's Church, Oxton
2011–2019The Reverend Fr Peter Allan CRRetired at the end of the 2018/2019 academic year
2019 onwardsThe Right Reverend Mark SowerbyPrincipal; not a member of the Community of the Resurrection

Notable alumni