Archdeacon of West Ham

The Archdeacon of West Ham is a senior ecclesiastical officer – in charge of the Archdeaconry of West Ham – in the Church of England Diocese of Chelmsford. The current archdeacon is Mike Power.

Brief history

Historically, the Archdeaconry of Essex formed part of the Diocese of London, until the Victorian diocese reforms transferred it, on 1 January 1846, to the Diocese of Rochester.^[1] The title first occurs in sources before 1100, as one of four archdeacons in the (then much larger) Diocese of London, but there had been four archdeacons prior to this point, some of whom may be regarded as essentially predecessors in the line of the Essex archdeacons.

From 4 May 1877, the archdeaconry made up part of the newly created Diocese of St Albans^[2] until it became part of the newly created Diocese of Chelmsford on 23 January 1914.^[1]^[3]

On 17 March 1922, the Archdeaconry of Essex was renamed the Archdeaconry of West Ham when the new Archdeaconry of Southend was created from part of the old archdeaconry.^[4]^[5]^[6]

The role of Archdeacon of West Ham has existed separately from the Bishop suffragan of Barking since 1958;^[7] the archdeaconry was itself divided to create the Harlow archdeaconry following a 1989 decision of the Diocesan Synod^[8] and again on 1 February 2013, by Pastoral Order of the Bishop of Chelmsford, the new Archdeaconry of Barking was created from the West Ham archdeaconry; initially, the Archdeacon of West Ham was also Acting Archdeacon of Barking.^[9]

List of archdeacons

High Medieval

?–c. 1102: Theobald
bef. 1102–bef. 1111: Walter^{[N 1]}
bef. 1132–1167 (d.): Richard Ruffus
bef. 1168–bef. 1196 : Robert Banastre
bef. 1204–aft. 1215: Richard de Hegham
bef. 1221–aft. 1225: Theobald de Valognes
bef. 1228–aft. 1243: Thomas de Fauconberg
bef. 1248–aft. 1250 (res.): Hugh de Sancto Edmundo
bef. 1253–aft. 1265: Stephen de Sandwic
bef. 1272–aft. 1271 (res.): Richard of Gravesend
bef. 1271–aft. 1274: Adam de Faversham
bef. 1274–1283 (res.): Roger de La Legh
bef. 1288–1293 (res.): Robert Winchelsey
bef. 1295–bef. 1297 (deprived): Laurence de Fuscis de Bera
31 March 1299–aft. 1301: Aldebrand Riccardi de Militiis

Late Medieval

bef. 1307–aft. 1307: Hildebrand de Anibaldis
29 January 1315–bef. 1319: Stephen de Segrave
bef. 1328–bef. 1331 (d.): John de Elham
2 December 1331 – 3 September 1332 (exch.): William Vygerous
3 September 1332–bef. 1333 (d.): Robert de Canterbury
9 November 1333 – 22 January 1337 (exch.): Hugh de Statherne
22 January 1337–c. 1351 (res.): John de Bouser
20 June 1351 – 1361 (d.): William de Rothwell
30 November 1361–bef. 1367 (res.): John Barnet (son of Bishop John Barnet)
20 June 1367–?: John de Cantebrugg
?–bef. 1368 (res.): Roger de Freton (afterwards Dean of Chichester)
18 January 1368–bef. 1400 (d.): Henry de Winterton
11 February 1400–?: Richard Prentys
bef. 1406–7 September 1420 (exch.): Edward Prentys
7 September 1420–bef. 1435 (d.): John Shirborne
5 April 1435–bef. 1461 (d.): Zanobius Mulakyn
5 August 1461 – 1472 (res.): James Goldwell (also Dean of Salisbury from 1463)
3 October 1472 – 16 May 1478 (exch.): John Gunthorpe
16 May 1478–bef. 1479 (d.): John Crall/Sudbury
22 December 1479 – 1480 (res.): Edmund Audley
21 July 1480 – 1499 (res.): Thomas Jane
4 November 1499–bef. 1502 (d.): John de Lopez
1502–23 August 1503 (d.): François de Busleyden, Archbishop of Besançon
24 January 1503–bef. 1543 (d.): Richard Rawson

Early modern

29 October 1543–bef. 1558 (d.): Edward Moylle
22 October 1558 – 23 October 1559 (deprived): Thomas Darbyshire (deprived)
3 January 1560–June 1571 (d.): Thomas Cole
10 July 1571–bef. 1585 (res.): John Walker
27 August 1585–bef. 1603 (res.): William Tabor
17 January 1603 – 1609 (res.): Samuel Harsnett
8 November 1609–bef. 1634 (d.): George Goldman
1634–11 August 1680 (d.): Edward Layfield
20 December 1680–bef. 1689 (res.): Thomas Turner
17 July 1689–bef. 1714 (d.): Charles Alston
22 July 1714–bef. 1737 (res.): Thomas Gooch
22 July 1737 – 9 August 1746 (d.): Reuben Clerke
6 February 1747 – 31 October 1752 (d.): William Gibson
28 November 1752 – 5 October 1771 (d.): Thomas Rutherforth
11 October 1771 – 5 April 1773 (d.): Stotherd Abdy
21 April 1773 – 10 November 1795 (d.): James Waller
2 December 1795 – 29 September 1813 (d.): William Gretton
11 December 1813 – 12 October 1823 (d.): Francis Wollaston
14 November 1823 – 1861 (res.): Hugh Jones

On 1 January 1846, the archdeaconry was moved to the Diocese of Rochester.

Late modern

18 February 1862 – 13 July 1878 (d.): Carew St John Mildmay^[10]^[11]

On 4 May 1877, the archdeaconry was again moved, this time to the newly created Diocese of St Albans.

1878–1882: Alfred Blomfield
bef. 1883–17 March 1885 (d.): Gaspard-le-Marchant Carey^[12]^[13]^[14]
1885–1894 (res.): Henry Johnson^[15]
1894–22 August 1920 (d.): Thomas Stevens^[16] (as Bishop suffragan of Barking, 1901–1919)

On 23 January 1914, the archdeaconry was again moved, this time to the newly created Diocese of Chelmsford.

1920–1922: James Inskip, Bishop suffragan of Barking (became Archdeacon of West Ham)^[17]^[18]

On 17 March 1922, the Archdeaconry of Essex was renamed to the Archdeaconry of West Ham.

1922–1948 (ret.): James Inskip, Bishop suffragan of Barking
1948–1958: Hugh Gough, Bishop suffragan of Barking^[19]^[20]
1958–25 October 1964 (d.): John Elvin^[21]^[22]
1965–1970 (res.) Denis Wakeling^[23]^[24]^[25]
1970–1975 (res.): James Adams^[26]^[27]
1975–1980 (res.): John Taylor^[28]^[29]
1980–1988 (res.): Peter Dawes^[30]^[31]
1988–1991 (res.): Roger Sainsbury^[32]
1991–1995 (res.): Tim Stevens^[33]^[34]
1995–2007 (ret.): Michael Fox^[35]^[36]
2007 – 2024 (ret.): Elwin Cockett^[37]^[38]^[39] (retired 30 September 2024)^[40]^[41]
2024–present: Mike Power (previously Archdeacon of Southend;^[41] collated 5 October 2024)^[42]

Notes

^ Walter is not called "Archdeacon of Essex" in any sources; rather his territory can be deduced.

References

^ ^a ^b Dioceses Commission – The Dioceses of England: An Outline History
^ "No. 24453". The London Gazette. 4 May 1877. p. 2933.
^ "No. 28795". The London Gazette. 23 January 1914. p. 588.
^ St John's Stratford – Timeline (1913–1927)
^ Seax, Essex Archives Online – Archdeaconry of West Ham
^ "No. 32642". The London Gazette. 17 March 1922. pp. 2229–2230.
^ St John's Church
^ Diocese of Chelmsford – Transforming Leadership^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ Diocese of Chelmsford – Archdeaconries in the Diocese of Chelmsford Archived 30 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 6 February 2013)
^ "No. 22621". The London Gazette. 29 April 1862. pp. 2205–2206.
^ Seax, Essex Archives Online – Chelmsford rural deanery
^ National Church Institutions Database of Manuscripts and Archives – Entry for a letter from Carey^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ Pub history – Chelmsford (inc. Boreham)
^ "Carey Family History – James Gaspard Le Marchant Carey". Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
^ Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2007 online ed.). A & C Black. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ St John's Stratford – A Brief History of the Parish
^ "Johnson, Rt Rev. Henry Frank". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2007 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ Alumni Cantabrigienses – Inskip, James Theodore
^ "Gough, Rt Rev. Hugh Rowlands". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ The Independent, Obituary – Hugh Gough
^ "Elvin, Ven. John Elijah". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ Seax, Essex Archives Online – Licences of Elvin
^ "Wakeling, Rt Rev. John Denis". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ The Telegraph, Obituary – Denis Wakeling
^ The Independent, Obituary – Denis Wakeling
^ "Adams, Rt Rev. (Albert) James". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2007 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ The Independent – James Adams
^ "Taylor, Rt Rev. John Bernard". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ Diocese of St Alban's – Bishops of St Alban's Archived 16 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine p. 3
^ "Dawes, Rt Rev. Peter Spencer". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ The Church Times, 29 May 2009 – Case for fewer bishops
^ "Sainsbury, Roger Frederick". Who's Who. Vol. 2103 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "LEICESTER, Bishop of,". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ Diocese of Leicester – Bishop of Leicester
^ "Fox, Ven. Michael John". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ The Church Times – Appointments, 29 June 2007 (archived)
^ "Cockett, Elwin Wesley". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ Diocese of Chelmsford – Hammers chaplain to be Archdeacon (archived)
^ Chelmsford Anglican Mainstream – New Archdeacon of West Ham
^ "Archdeacon of West Ham, Elwin Cockett announces his retirement". Diocese of Chelmsford. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Archdeacon of West Ham vacancy; review and appointment". Diocese of Chelmsford. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
^ @chelmsdio (5 October 2024). "Today we welcomed the Venerable Mike Power as Archdeacon of West Ham..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024 – via Twitter.

Sources

Greenway, Diana E. (1968), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300, vol. 1, pp. 12–14
Horn, Joyce M. (1963), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1300–1541, vol. 5, pp. 9–11
Horn, Joyce M. (1969), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 1, pp. 9–10
Horn, Joyce M. (1974), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 3, p. 59

[10] Walter is not called "Archdeacon of Essex" in any sources; rather his territory can be deduced.

[dcc2-1] Dioceses Commission – The Dioceses of England: An Outline History

[2] "No. 24453". The London Gazette. 4 May 1877. p. 2933.

[3] "No. 28795". The London Gazette. 23 January 1914. p. 588.

[4] St John's Stratford – Timeline (1913–1927)

[5] Seax, Essex Archives Online – Archdeaconry of West Ham

[6] "No. 32642". The London Gazette. 17 March 1922. pp. 2229–2230.

[7] St John's Church

[8] Diocese of Chelmsford – Transforming Leadership^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[9] Diocese of Chelmsford – Archdeaconries in the Diocese of Chelmsford Archived 30 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 6 February 2013)

[11] "No. 22621". The London Gazette. 29 April 1862. pp. 2205–2206.

[12] Seax, Essex Archives Online – Chelmsford rural deanery

[13] National Church Institutions Database of Manuscripts and Archives – Entry for a letter from Carey^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[14] Pub history – Chelmsford (inc. Boreham)

[15] "Carey Family History – James Gaspard Le Marchant Carey". Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2013.

[16] Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2007 online ed.). A & C Black. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[17] St John's Stratford – A Brief History of the Parish

[18] "Johnson, Rt Rev. Henry Frank". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2007 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[19] Alumni Cantabrigienses – Inskip, James Theodore

[20] "Gough, Rt Rev. Hugh Rowlands". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[21] The Independent, Obituary – Hugh Gough

[22] "Elvin, Ven. John Elijah". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[23] Seax, Essex Archives Online – Licences of Elvin

[24] "Wakeling, Rt Rev. John Denis". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[25] The Telegraph, Obituary – Denis Wakeling

[26] The Independent, Obituary – Denis Wakeling

[27] "Adams, Rt Rev. (Albert) James". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2008 (December 2007 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[28] The Independent – James Adams

[29] "Taylor, Rt Rev. John Bernard". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[30] Diocese of St Alban's – Bishops of St Alban's Archived 16 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine p. 3

[31] "Dawes, Rt Rev. Peter Spencer". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[32] The Church Times, 29 May 2009 – Case for fewer bishops

[33] "Sainsbury, Roger Frederick". Who's Who. Vol. 2103 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[34] "LEICESTER, Bishop of,". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[35] Diocese of Leicester – Bishop of Leicester

[36] "Fox, Ven. Michael John". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[37] The Church Times – Appointments, 29 June 2007 (archived)

[38] "Cockett, Elwin Wesley". Who's Who. Vol. 2013 (December 2012 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 7 May 2013. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[39] Diocese of Chelmsford – Hammers chaplain to be Archdeacon (archived)

[40] Chelmsford Anglican Mainstream – New Archdeacon of West Ham

[41] "Archdeacon of West Ham, Elwin Cockett announces his retirement". Diocese of Chelmsford. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.

[power-42] "Archdeacon of West Ham vacancy; review and appointment". Diocese of Chelmsford. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.

[mpwhcoll-43] @chelmsdio (5 October 2024). "Today we welcomed the Venerable Mike Power as Archdeacon of West Ham..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024 – via Twitter.

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v t e Archdeacons of Essex and of West Ham
High Medieval	Theobald Walter Richard Ruffus Robert Banastre Richard de Hegham Theobald de Valognes Thomas de Fauconberg Hugh de Sancto Edmundo Stephen de Sandwic Richard of Gravesend Adam de Faversham Roger de La Legh Robert Winchelsey Laurence de Fuscis de Bera
Late Medieval	Aldebrand Riccardi de Militiis Hildebrand de Anibaldis Stephen de Segrave John de Elham William Vygerous Robert de Canterbury Hugh de Statherne John de Bouser William de Rothwell John Barnet John de Cantebrugg Roger de Freton Henry de Winterton Richard Prentys Edward Prentys John Shirborne Zanobius Mulakyn James Goldwell John Gunthorpe John Crall Edmund Audley Thomas Jane
Early modern	John de Lopez Francis de Busleiden Richard Rawson Edward Moylle Thomas Darbyshire Thomas Cole John Walker William Tabor Samuel Harsnett George Goldman Edward Layfield Thomas Turner Charles Alston Thomas Gooch Reuben Clerke William Gibson Thomas Rutherforth Stotherd Abdy James Waller
Late modern (Essex)	William Gretton Francis Wollaston Hugh Jones Carew St John Mildmay Gaspard-le-Marchant Carey Alfred Blomfield Henry Johnson Thomas Stevens, Bishop of Barking James Inskip, Bishop of Barking (became Archdeacon of West Ham)
West Ham	James Inskip (previously Archdeacon of Essex) Hugh Gough John Elvin Denis Wakeling James Adams John Taylor Peter Dawes Roger Sainsbury Tim Stevens Michael Fox Elwin Cockett Mike Power

v t e Diocese of Chelmsford
Chelmsford Cathedral Bishopscourt, Margaretting Diocesan Office, Chelmsford The Retreat House, Pleshey Waltham Abbey St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwell Area scheme (since 1983)
Office holders	Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford Roger Morris, area Bishop of Colchester Lynne Cullens, area Bishop of Barking Adam Atkinson, area Bishop-designate of Bradwell and Archdeacon of Charing Cross AEO: Bishop suffragan of Richborough (vacant) & Rob Munro, Bishop suffragan of Ebbsfleet Jessica Martin, Dean-designate of Chelmsford Chris Burke, Archdeacon of Barking Ruth Patten, Archdeacon of Colchester Mike Power, Archdeacon of West Ham Kate Peacock, Archdeacon of Stansted Jonathan Croucher, Archdeacon of Chelmsford Archdeacon of Southend (vacant)
Historic offices	Archdeacon of Essex (1914–1922; renamed West Ham) Provost of Chelmsford (1929–2000; see Dean of Chelmsford) Archdeacon of Harlow (1989–2024)

v t e Diocese of St Albans
St Albans Cathedral St Mary's Church, Luton Abbey Gate House, St Albans Holywell Lodge, St Albans
Office holders	Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans Richard Atkinson, Bishop suffragan of Bedford Jane Mainwaring, Bishop suffragan of Hertford AEO: Bishop suffragan of Richborough (vacant) & Rob Munro, Bishop suffragan of Ebbsfleet Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans Janet Mackenzie, Archdeacon of Hertford Dave Middlebrook, Archdeacon of Bedford Charles Hudson, Archdeacon of St Albans
Historic offices	Bishops suffragan of Colchester and of Barking, Archdeacons of Colchester and of Essex (all moved to Diocese of Chelmsford, 1914)

v t e Diocese of Rochester
Rochester Cathedral Bishopscourt, Rochester Diocesan Office, Rochester
Office holders	Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Rochester Simon Burton-Jones, Bishop suffragan of Tonbridge AEO: Bishop suffragan of Richborough (vacant) & Rob Munro, Bishop suffragan of Ebbsfleet Philip Hesketh, Dean of Rochester Andy Wooding Jones, Archdeacon of Rochester Sharon Copestake, Archdeacon of Tonbridge Allie Kerr, Archdeacon of Bromley and Bexley
Historic offices	Bishop suffragan of Southwark (1891–1905; diocesan see created) Archdeacon of Colchester; Archdeacon of Essex (1846–1877; moved to St Albans then Chelmsford) Archdeacon of St Albans (1846–1877; moved to St Albans) Archdeacon of Southwark; Archdeacon of Kingston (1878/9–1905; became Diocese of Southwark)