Diocese of Oxford

The Diocese of Oxford is a Church of England diocese that forms part of the Province of Canterbury. The diocese is led by the Bishop of Oxford, and the bishop's seat is at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. It contains more church buildings than any other diocese and has more paid clergy than any other except London.
The diocese now covers the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and five churches in the nearby counties. Their 284 schools educate more than 68,000 students.

WWW oxford.anglican.org

History

The Diocese of Oxford was created by letters patent from Henry VIII on 1 September 1542, out of part of the Diocese of Lincoln. Osney Abbey was designated the original cathedral, but in 1545 this was changed to St Frideswide's Priory which became Christ Church Cathedral.
In 1836 the Archdeaconry of Berkshire was transferred from the Diocese of Salisbury to Oxford. This comprises the county of Berkshire and parts of Wiltshire.
An Order in Council of 1837 transferred the Archdeaconry of Buckingham from the Diocese of Lincoln.
In 2013 and 2014, the Diocese of Oxford discussed and resolved to undertake some pastoral alterations; the new archdeaconry of Dorchester was created on 1 March 2014. On 3 March 2014, it was announced that Judy French would become the first Archdeacon of Dorchester from June 2014.

Bishops

The diocesan Bishop of Oxford is assisted by the area bishops of Dorchester, Buckingham, and Reading. The suffragan See of Buckingham was created in 1914, and was the suffragan bishopric for the whole diocese until 1939 when the See of Dorchester was created; the See of Reading was re-created in 1942, after having been 'in abeyance' since 1909.
The provincial episcopal visitor is the Bishop of Oswestry, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese in order to facilitate his ministry in the diocese. Conservative evangelicals who reject the ordination and/or leadership of women due to complementarian beliefs, receive alternative episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Ebbsfleet.
Several retired bishops resident in or near the diocese are licensed to serve as honorary assistant bishops. :

Since 2010: Anthony Russell, former Bishop of Ely and area Bishop of Dorchester, lives in Holton.
Since 2010: Henry Scriven, Mission Director for Latin America and former Assistant Bishop in Pittsburgh and Suffragan Bishop in Europe, lives in Abingdon-on-Thames and is also licensed in Chichester and Winchester dioceses.
Since 2013: David Jennings, retired former Bishop suffragan of Warrington, lives in Northleach, Gloucestershire and is also licensed in Gloucester diocese.
Since 2013: John Went, former Bishop suffragan of Tewkesbury, lives in Latimer.

George Carey lives in the diocese and was an honorary assistant bishop, but resigned his licence following his implication in the Peter Ball abuse case, and Humphrey Southern, former Bishop suffragan of Repton, is the Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon.

Current extent

Counties

The diocese now covers the counties of

and has

three churches in the county of Bedfordshire
one church in the traditional county of Middlesex
one church in the county of Hampshire

Episcopal areas

Since the creation of an area scheme in 1984, the diocese has been divided into three episcopal areas. The Bishop of Oxford has authority throughout the diocese, but also has primary responsibility for the city and suburbs of Oxford, which form the Archdeaconry of Oxford.

City of Oxford and surrounding area
*current Bishop of Oxford: Steven Croft
*includes Deaneries of Oxford and Cowley
Dorchester Episcopal Area
*current area Bishop of Dorchester: Gavin Collins
*includes Deaneries of Aston & Cuddesdon, Bicester & Islip, Chipping Norton, Deddington, Henley, Witney and Woodstock
Buckingham Episcopal Area
*current area Bishop of Buckingham: Dave Bull
*includes Deaneries of Amersham, Aylesbury, Buckingham, Burnham & Slough, Claydon, Milton Keynes, Mursley, Newport, Wendover and Wycombe
Reading Episcopal Area
*current area Bishop of Reading: Mary Gregory
*includes Deaneries of Abingdon, Bracknell, Bradfield, Maidenhead & Windsor, Newbury, Reading, Sonning, Vale of White Horse, Wallingford and Wantage

Archdeaconries and deaneries

*including Cathedral

Churches

Deanery of Oxford

¹situated within the area covered by the Cowley deanery

Deanery of Abingdon

Benefice	Churches	Link	Clergy	Population served
Abingdon, North	Christ Church Abingdon		Vicar: Keith DunnettAssociate Vicar: James WhymarkAssociate Minister: Ros SteelCurate: Andrew Gilmour	16,103
Abingdon, North	Christ Church Long Furlong		Vicar: Keith DunnettAssociate Vicar: James WhymarkAssociate Minister: Ros SteelCurate: Andrew Gilmour	16,103
Peachcroft Christian Centre	Peachcroft Christian Centre		Minister: David Masters	16,103
Abingdon-On-Thames	St Helen, Abingdon		Team Rector: Jen BrownTeam Vicar: VacantAssociate Priest: A. K. M. Adam	16,457
Abingdon-On-Thames	St Michael & All Angels, Abingdon		Team Rector: Jen BrownTeam Vicar: VacantAssociate Priest: A. K. M. Adam	16,457
Abingdon-On-Thames	St Nicolas, Abingdon		Team Rector: Jen BrownTeam Vicar: VacantAssociate Priest: A. K. M. Adam	16,457
Appleton with Besselsleigh	St Laurence, Appleton		Rector: Wealands Bell	1,026
Cumnor	St Michael, Cumnor St Andrew, Dean Court St Mary, Farmoor		Vicar: VacantHonorary Associate Minister: David WenhamHonorary Associate Minister: Chris SugdenHonorary Associate Minister: Jessica Turner	5,878
Damascus, Comprising Appleford, Drayton, Milton, Steventon, and Sutton Courtenay	SS Peter & Paul, Appleford St Peter, Drayton St Blaise, Milton St Michael & All Angels, Steventon All Saints, Sutton Courtenay		Rector: Helen KendrickAssociate Priest: Philip SuttonAssociate Priest: Rosie Bruce	7,902
Dry Sandford	St Helen, Dry Sandford		Vicar: Vacant	897
Fyfield with Tubney and Kingston Bagpuize	St Nicholas, Fyfield St Lawrence, Tubney		Vicar: Vacant	2,759
Fyfield with Tubney and Kingston Bagpuize	St John the Baptist, Kingston Bagpuize		Vicar: Vacant	2,759
Marcham with Garford and Shippon	All Saints, Marcham St Luke, Garford		Vicar: Nick Weldon	3,912
Marcham with Garford and Shippon	St Mary Magdalene, Shippon		Vicar: Nick Weldon	3,912
Radley, Sunningwell and Kennington	St James the Great, Radley		Rector: Robert GlennyCurate: Anne CurtisAssociate Priest: Pat BhuttaAssociate Priest: Glynis Beckett	8,596
Radley, Sunningwell and Kennington	St Swithun, Kennington		Rector: Robert GlennyCurate: Anne CurtisAssociate Priest: Pat BhuttaAssociate Priest: Glynis Beckett	8,596
Radley, Sunningwell and Kennington	St Leonard, Sunningwell		Rector: Robert GlennyCurate: Anne CurtisAssociate Priest: Pat BhuttaAssociate Priest: Glynis Beckett	8,596
Wootton	St Peter, Wootton		Vicar: Stephen Coe	3,157

Deanery of Wantage

Benefice	Churches	Link	Clergy	Population served
Ridgeway, Comprising Childrey with West Challow, Letcombe Bassett, Letcombe Regis, and Sparsholt with Kingston Lisle	St Laurence, West Challow St Mary the Virgin, Childrey St Michael & All Angels, Letcombe Bassett St Andrew, Letcombe Regis St John the Baptist, Kingston Lisle Holy Cross, Sparsholt		Rector: Ness Brunner Ellis	2,001
Vale, Comprising Challow, Denchworth, Grove, and Hanney	St John the Baptist, Grove		Vicar: John DurantCurate: Alec GillSSM: Paul GoodingSSM: George Moody	9,343
Vale, Comprising Challow, Denchworth, Grove, and Hanney	St Nicolas, East Challow St James, Denchworth St James the Great, West Hanney		Vicar: John DurantCurate: Alec GillSSM: Paul GoodingSSM: George Moody	9,343
Wantage	SS Peter & Paul, Wantage Holy Trinity, Charlton		Vicar: Katherine PriceCurate: Benji Tyler	11,396
Wantage Downs, Comprising Ardington with Lockinge, East Hendred, and West Hendred	Holy Trinity, Ardington All Saints, Lockinge St Augustine of Canterbury, East Hendred Holy Trinity, West Hendred		Rector: Nikolaj ChristensenSSM: Dorothy Page	1,945

Deanery of Amersham

Benefice	Churches	Link	Clergy	Population served
Amersham	St Mary the Virgin, Amersham		Rector: Tim HarperSSM: Sue GillOLM: Tim Barnard	7,898
Amersham	All Saints, Coleshill		Rector: Tim HarperSSM: Sue GillOLM: Tim Barnard	7,898
Amersham On the Hill	St Michael & All Angels, Amersham-on-the-Hill		Vicar: Debbie OadesSSM: Peter BinnsOLM: Sharon Roberts	7,086
Beaconsfield	St Mary & All Saints, Beaconsfield		Team Rector: Sharon RobertsTeam Vicar: Lucy Fyfe-JamiesonTeam Vicar: Michael JohnsonAssociate Priest: Margot Suter	11,862
Beaconsfield	St Michael & All Angels, Beaconsfield		Team Rector: Sharon RobertsTeam Vicar: Lucy Fyfe-JamiesonTeam Vicar: Michael JohnsonAssociate Priest: Margot Suter	11,862
Beaconsfield	St Thomas, Holtspur		Team Rector: Sharon RobertsTeam Vicar: Lucy Fyfe-JamiesonTeam Vicar: Michael JohnsonAssociate Priest: Margot Suter	11,862
Chalfont St Giles, Seer Green and Jordans	St Giles, Chalfont St Giles		Rector: Ian BrownCurate: Jenny TebbothCurate: Paul HendersonCurate: Cassa MesservySSM: Melvyn Bleakley	9,290
Chalfont St Giles, Seer Green and Jordans	Holy Trinity, Seer Green		Rector: Ian BrownCurate: Jenny TebbothCurate: Paul HendersonCurate: Cassa MesservySSM: Melvyn Bleakley	9,290
Chalfont St Peter	St Peter, Chalfont St Peter St Paul, Horn Hill All Saints, Oval Way		Rector: John GoodmanOLM: Wendy Graham	12,889
Chenies and Little Chalfont, Latimer and Flaunden	St Michael, Chenies St George, Little Chalfont St Mary Magdalene, Flaunden St Mary Magdalene, Latimer		Rector: VacantSSM: Ruth BoughtonHon. Curate: John Went	6,506
Chesham Bois	St Leonard, Chesham Bois		Rector: Laurie ClowSSM: Christopher Clare	4,094
Chesham, Great	Christ Church, Waterside Emmanuel, Chesham St Mary the Virgin, Chesham St John the Evangelist, Ashley Green St John the Evangelist, Bellingdon St George, Tyler's Hill		Team Rector: Simon CansdaleTeam Vicar: John ShepherdTeam Vicar: Sylvester LiyanageCurate: Christopher GerckeSSM: Tim Yates	23,817
Denham	St Mary the Virgin, Denham St Mark, Denham Green St Francis, New Denham		Rector: Christoph Lindner	7,394
Gerrards Cross and Fulmer	St James, Gerrards Cross St James, Fulmer		Rector: Martin WilliamsCurate: James LeachCurate: Christopher LionCurate: Ben TophamSSM: Meyrick BeebeeSSM: Jill Roth	8,312
Penn and Tylers Green	Holy Trinity, Penn St Margaret, Tylers Green		Vicar: Mike BissetCurate: Graham Summers	8,592
Penn Street	Holy Trinity, Penn Street Christ Church, Holmer Green		Vicar: Peter Simmons	3,962
Latimer Minster	Latimer Minster		SSM: Frog Orr-Ewing	N/A

Deanery of Buckingham

Benefice	Churches	Link	Clergy	Population served
Buckingham	SS Peter & Paul, Buckingham		Rector: Will Pearson-GeeCurate: Alexandra WalshCurate: Danny RodgersSSM: John King	13,229
Buckingham	Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Beachampton St John the Evangelist, Radclive St Mary, Thornborough All Saints, Nash St Mary, Whaddon		Rector: Will Pearson-GeeCurate: Alexandra WalshCurate: Danny RodgersSSM: John King	13,229
Buckingham, North, Comprising Akeley, Leckhampstead, Lillingstone Dayrell, Lillingstone Lovell, and Maids Moreton	St James, Akeley Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Leckhampstead St Nicholas, Lillingstone Dayrell Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lillingstone Lovell St Edmund, Maids Moreton		Rector: Johannes Taling	2,824
Buckingham, West, Comprising Biddlesden, Shalstone, Tingewick, Turweston, Water Stratford, and Westbury	St Margaret of Scotland, Biddlesden St Edward the Confessor, Shalstone St Mary Magdalene, Tingewick Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Turweston St Giles, Water Stratford St Augustine of Canterbury, Westbury		Rector: Elizabeth Simpson	2,071
Lenborough, Comprising Adstock, Gawcott, Hillesden, and Padbury	St Mary the Virgin, Padbury		Vicar: Ros Roberts	2,161
Lenborough, Comprising Adstock, Gawcott, Hillesden, and Padbury	St Cecilia, Adstock Holy Trinity, Gawcott All Saints, Hillesden		Vicar: Ros Roberts	2,161
Stowe	Assumption of St Mary the Virgin, Stowe		Hon. Priest-in-Charge: Vacant	929

Deanery of Wycombe

Benefice	Churches	Link	Clergy	Population served
Flackwell Heath	Christ Church, Flackwell Heath		Vicar: James DwyerCurate: Gill TaylorLLM: Sue Simpson, Debbie Fox-Webb, Helen Broadbent	5,984
Hambleden Valley, Comprising Fawley, Fingest, Hambleden with Frieth, Medmenham, and Turville	St Mary the Virgin, Fawley St Bartholomew, Fingest St John the Baptist, Frieth St Mary the Virgin, Hambleden SS Peter & Paul, Medmenham St Mary, Turville		Rector: Stephen SouthgateSSM: Sue Morton	3,152
Hazlemere	Holy Trinity, Hazlemere Good Shepherd, Widmer End		Vicar: Mark MeardonCurate: Dominic Meering	11,196
Hedsor and Bourne End	St Nicholas, Hedsor St Mark, Bourne End		Rector: Janet Binns	5,399
Hughenden	St Michael & All Angels, Hughenden		Vicar: Keith JohnsonSSM: Helen Peters	6,115
Lane End with Cadmore End	Holy Trinity, Lane End		Vicar: Vacant	3,671
Lane End with Cadmore End	St Mary le Moor, Cadmore End		Vicar: Vacant	3,671
Loudwater	St Peter, Loudwater		Vicar: Timothy Butlin	4,442
Marlow, Great with Marlow Bottom, Little Marlow and Bisham	All Saints, Great Marlow All Saints, Bisham St Mary the Virgin, Marlow Bottom St John the Baptist, Little Marlow		Team Rector: Dave BullTeam Vicar: Sarah FitzgeraldTeam Vicar: Samantha WattsTeam Vicar: Graham WattsCurate: Roland SladeSSM: Gabrielle SmithSSM: John Smith	20,783
Stokenchurch and Ibstone	SS Peter & Paul, Stokenchurch		Priest-in-Charge: Vacant	5,071
Stokenchurch and Ibstone	St Nicholas, Ibstone		Priest-in-Charge: Vacant	5,071
Terriers	St Francis of Assisi, Terriers		Vicar: Vacant	7,512
Wooburn	St Paul, Wooburn St Mary, Wycombe Lane		Vicar: Martin Wallington	5,601
Wycombe, High	All Saints, High Wycombe		Team Rector: Hugh EllisTeam Vicar: Simon DustTeam Vicar: Christopher OwenTeam Vicar: Wendy BullSSM: Peter VineySSM: Heather GrahamOLM: Jackie Lock	67,383
Wycombe, High	St James the Great, Downley		Team Rector: Hugh EllisTeam Vicar: Simon DustTeam Vicar: Christopher OwenTeam Vicar: Wendy BullSSM: Peter VineySSM: Heather GrahamOLM: Jackie Lock	67,383
Wycombe, High	Christ the Servant King, Booker		Team Rector: Hugh EllisTeam Vicar: Simon DustTeam Vicar: Christopher OwenTeam Vicar: Wendy BullSSM: Peter VineySSM: Heather GrahamOLM: Jackie Lock	67,383
Wycombe, High	St Andrew, Hatters Lane		Team Rector: Hugh EllisTeam Vicar: Simon DustTeam Vicar: Christopher OwenTeam Vicar: Wendy BullSSM: Peter VineySSM: Heather GrahamOLM: Jackie Lock	67,383
Wycombe, High	St Anne, Wycombe Marsh St Peter, Micklefield		Team Rector: Hugh EllisTeam Vicar: Simon DustTeam Vicar: Christopher OwenTeam Vicar: Wendy BullSSM: Peter VineySSM: Heather GrahamOLM: Jackie Lock	67,383
Wycombe, High	SS Mary & George, Sands		Team Rector: Hugh EllisTeam Vicar: Simon DustTeam Vicar: Christopher OwenTeam Vicar: Wendy BullSSM: Peter VineySSM: Heather GrahamOLM: Jackie Lock	67,383
Wycombe, West with Bledlow Ridge, Bradenham and Radnage	St Lawrence, West Wycombe St Paul, West Wycombe		Rector: Lance Sharpe	4,301
Wycombe, West with Bledlow Ridge, Bradenham and Radnage	St Paul, Bledlow Ridge St Botolph, Bradenham St Mary, Radnage		Rector: Lance Sharpe	4,301

Deanery of Reading

Benefice	Churches	Link	Clergy	Population served
Caversham	St Andrew, Caversham		Vicar: Nigel Jones	4,714
Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham	St Peter, Caversham St John the Baptist, Caversham St Margaret, Mapledurham		Rector: Michael SmithCurate: Penny CuthbertSSM: Rachel Ross	17,627
Earley	St Nicolas, Earley		Vicar: April BeckerlegSSM: Libby Newman	11,712
Earley	St Peter, Earley		Vicar:	16,374
Earley	Trinity Earley		Vicar: Jon Salmon	9,263
Emmer Green with Caversham Park	St Barnabas, Emmer Green		Rector: Derek Chandler	9,643
Emmer Green with Caversham Park	Caversham Park Church		Rector: Derek Chandler	9,643
Loddon Reach, Comprising Beech Hill, Shinfield, Spencers Wood and Grazeley, and Swallowfield	St Mary the Virgin, Beech Hill St Mary, Shinfield St Michael & All Angels, Spencers Wood All Saints, Swallowfield		Team Rector: Paul WillisTeam Vicar: David LittleSSM: Chris LeslieSSM: Cath Spence	10,137
Reading	Christ Church, Reading		Vicar: Peter DayCurate: Liz Ratcliffe	14,318
Reading	Holy Trinity, Reading		Priest-in-Charge: Bob Simmonds	7,150
Reading	St Agnes, Whitley St Paul, South Whitley St Barnabas, Reading		Rector: Vernon OrrCurate: Leon CollyerCurate: Sue Cady	18,109
Reading	St Giles, Reading		Rector: David Harris	7,992
Reading	St John & St Stephen, Reading		Vicar: Vincent GardnerCurate: Gary Collins	8,216
Reading	St Laurence, Reading		Vicar: Christopher RussellCurate: Chris Jones	0
Reading	St Luke, Reading St Bartholomew, Earley		Vicar: Graeme FancourtCurate: Richard ChristopherCurate: Serena TajimaSSM: Christine Blackman	8,486
Reading	St Mark, Reading All Saints, Reading		Vicar: Jo Williams	14,973
Reading	Minster of St Mary the Virgin, Reading		Rector: Stephen PullinSSM: Sarah PullinSSM: Andrew BondOLM: Judith Sumner	738
Reading	St Matthew, Reading		Vicar: Mark DolphinSSM: Kirstie Dolphin	13,584
Reading Greyfriars	Greyfriars Church, Reading		Vicar: David WalkerCurate: Joy AtkinsCurate: Sarah Eden-Jones	3,693
Southlake: St James	St James, Woodley		Vicar: Laurence Smith	15,211
Tilehurst and Calcot	St Catherine of Siena, Tilehurst		Vicar: Gill RowellOLM: Lorraine Colam	10,040
Tilehurst	St George, Tilehurst		Vicar: Adam Carlill	18,101
Tilehurst	St Mary Magdalen, Tilehurst		Vicar: Adam Carlill	18,101
Tilehurst	St Michael, Tilehurst		Rector: Vacant	15,381
Woodley	Emmanuel, Woodley (1991)		Vicar: Rose JonesVicar: Claire Jones	10,430
Woodley	St John the Evangelist, Woodley		Vicar: Mark NamMinister & Asian Fellowship: Richard Christopher	10,430