Archdeacon of Pontefract

The Archdeacon of Pontefract is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Leeds.

As Archdeacon he or she is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy within the five area deaneries of Dewsbury, Wakefield, Pontefract, Barnsley and Birstall.

From the creation of the Diocese of Wakefield in 1888 until its reorganisation in 1927, the archdeaconry of Halifax comprised the northwestern corner of that diocese. In 1927, the archdeaconry was renamed to that of Pontefract and its borders moved to cover the eastern half of the diocese (the Huddersfield archdeaconry became the new archdeaconry of Halifax).

For many years the post of Archdeacon of Pontefract was combined with that of Bishop suffragan of Pontefract. The current incumbent is Peter Townley. Since the creation of the Diocese of Leeds on 20 April 2014, the archdeaconry has formed the Wakefield episcopal area.

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