Rod Chiswell
Rodney James Chiswell is an Australian Anglican bishop and former civil engineer who has served as the Bishop of Armidale since 27 February 2021, a position which his father, Peter Chiswell, also held. He previously served as rector of St Peter's, South Tamworth, in the Diocese of Armidale from 2008 to 2020.
Early life, education and parish ministry
Chiswell was born in Bingara to Peter and Betty Chiswell, as the youngest of three children. He spent the early years of his life in Gunnedah and was converted to Christianity at age eight, and attended high school in Armidale. After finishing school, Chiswell attended the University of New South Wales where he completed a Bachelor of Civil Engineering but also undertook ministry under the leadership of Philip Jensen. After graduation, Chiswell worked as a civil engineer, building roads and bridges with Moree Plains Shire for five years.Chiswell returned to Sydney to study theology at Moore Theological College where he completed a Bachelor of Theology. He then spent the next 25 years serving in a number of parishes in the Armidale diocese - as vicar of Mungindi for seven years, vicar of Walcha for five years and vicar of South Tamworth for 13 years from 2008, a position which he held until his appointment to the episcopate.