Archdeaconry of Dorchester

The Archdeacon of Oxford is a senior ecclesiastical officer in the Diocese of Oxford, England. The office responsibility includes the care of clergy and church buildings within the area of the Archdeaconry of Oxford.

The first archdeacon of Oxford is recorded before 1092 – around the time when archdeacons were first appointed across England – in the Diocese of Lincoln. He was one of eight archdeacons appointed by the bishop: Lincoln, Huntingdon, Northampton, Leicester, Buckingham, Bedford and Stow.

In the Henrican Reorganization, the archdeaconry was transferred to the newly-erected Diocese of Oxford in 1546. On 1 March 2014, the archdeaconry was split to create the new Dorchester archdeaconry; Oxford Archdeaconry now consists of Oxford and Cowley Deaneries, whereas the rest of Oxfordshire is now in the Archdeaconry of Dorchester. The Archdeacon of Oxford continues to be Residentiary Canon of Christ Church and has strategic roles across the Diocese of Oxford as a whole, for example as Interfaith Advisor.

The present Archdeacon of Oxford is Martin Gorick, who was installed in Christ Church on 4 May 2013.

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 19 June 2014, Judy French was collated the first Archdeacon of Dorchester; retired archdeacon Hedley Ringrose was Interim Archdeacon since 2013.

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