Diocese of Canterbury

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Diocese of Canterbury

Dioecesis Cantuariensis
Archbishop of Canterbury arms.svg
Coat of arms
Flag of the Anglican Diocese of Canterbury.svg
Flag
Location
Ecclesiastical province Canterbury
Archdeaconries Canterbury, Ashford, Maidstone
Coordinates 51°16′47″N1°5′0″E / 51.27972°N 1.08333°E / 51.27972; 1.08333
Statistics
Parishes231
Churches327
Information
Cathedral Canterbury Cathedral
Current leadership
Bishop Archbishop of Canterbury (vacant; bishop-designate: Sarah Mullally)
Suffragans Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover (pseudo-diocesan)
Rob Munro, Bishop of Ebbsfleet (PEV)
Luke Irvine-Capel, Bishop of Richborough (PEV)
Archdeacons Will Adam, Archdeacon of Canterbury
Darren Miller, Archdeacon of Ashford
Archdeacon of Maidstone (vacant)
Website
canterburydiocese.org

The Diocese of Canterbury is a Church of England diocese covering eastern Kent which was founded by St Augustine of Canterbury in 597. The diocese is centred on Canterbury Cathedral and is the oldest see of the Church of England.

Contents

Bishops

The diocesan bishop is the archbishop of Canterbury. However, because of their roles as metropolitan bishop of the Province of Canterbury, Primate of All England and "first bishop" of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the archbishop (whose primary residence is at Lambeth Palace in London) is often away from the diocese. Therefore, their suffragan bishop, the bishop of Dover (presently Rose Hudson-Wilkin), is in many ways empowered to act almost as if she were the diocesan bishop.

The diocese had from 1944 to 2009 a second locally focussed suffragan bishop, the bishop of Maidstone (this version of the post was discontinued in November 2010), who had a similar though subordinate role to that of the Bishop of Dover. [1] Two suffragans have nominal sees in the diocese — the bishops of Ebbsfleet and Richborough, who are provincial episcopal visitors with a wider focus than the diocese.

Besides the archbishop and the bishop of Dover, three honorary assistant bishops supervise and officiate. Alternative episcopal oversight (for parishes in the diocese who reject the ministry of priests who are women) is provided by the provincial episcopal visitor (PEV), the bishop suffragan of Richborough (Luke Irvine-Capel). There are three honorary assistant bishops licensed in the diocese:

Diocesan structure

For organisational purposes, the diocese is divided into three archdeaconries, [5] containing a total of sixteen deaneries, which are further subdivided into parishes: [6] Canterbury Diocese comprises 202 parishes organised in 100 legal benefices. [7]

Diocese Archdeaconries Rural deaneries
Diocese of Canterbury Archdeaconry of Canterbury Deanery of Canterbury
Deanery of East Bridge
Deanery of Reculver
Deanery of Thanet
Deanery of Stour Valley
Archdeaconry of Ashford Deanery of Ashford
Deanery of Dover
Deanery of Elham
Deanery of Romney
Deanery of Sandwich
Deanery of Vineyard
Archdeaconry of Maidstone Deanery of Maidstone
Deanery of North Downs
Deanery of Ospringe
Deanery of Sittingbourne
Deanery of Weald

Churches

Extra-parochial areas

Archdeaconry of Canterbury

Deanery of Canterbury

  • Benefice and Parish of St-Cosmas-and-St-Damian-in-the-Blean (population 4,202): SS Cosmas & Damian's Church, Blean (medieval)
  • Benefice of Canterbury St Dunstan, St Mildred & St Peter
    • Parish of Saint Dunstan with Holy Cross (population 7,042): St Dunstan's Church (medieval) --- Holy Cross Church (medieval, redundant 1972)
    • Parish of Saint Peter with Saint Alphege and Saint Margaret and Saint Mildred with Saint Mary de Castro, Canterbury (population 3,055): St Peter's Church (medieval, closed 1928, reopened 1953) --- St Mildred's Church (medieval) --- St Alphege's Church (medieval, closed 1982) --- St Margaret's Church (medieval, closed C20th) --- St Mary de Castro Church (medieval, closed C16th) --- St Mary Bredman Church (medieval, rebuilt 1822, 1882, demolished 1900) --- St Andrew's Church (medieval, rebuilt 1774, closed 1888) --- St George the Martyr's Church (medieval, destroyed 1942) --- All Saints' Church (medieval, rebuilt 1828, closed 1902) --- St Mary Bredin Old Church (medieval, rebuilt 1867, destroyed 1942) --- St Mary Magdalene's Church (medieval, closed 1866) --- St John the Baptist's Church (medieval, closed C14th) --- St Edmund's Church (medieval, closed C14th) --- St Mary Northgate Church (medieval, rebuilt 1773, closed 1912) --- St Mary Queningate Church (medieval, closed C14th) --- St Michael's Church (medieval, closed C16th) --- St Pancras' Church (Saxon, closed)
  • Benefice and Parish of Canterbury All Saints (population 8,195): All Saints' Church (1844)1 --- St Gregory's Church (1851, closed 1975)
  • Benefice and Parish of Canterbury St Martin and St Paul (population 8,095): St Martin's Church (Saxon) --- St Paul's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Canterbury St Mary Bredin (population 8,762): St Mary Bredin New Church (post-1942)
  • Benefice and Parish of Hackington (population 9,042): St Stephen's Church, Canterbury (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Harbledown (population 5,810): St Michael and All Angels' Church, Harbledown (medieval) --- St Gabriel's Mission Church, Rough Common (1890)
  • Benefice and Parish of Sturry with Fordwich and Westbere with Hersden (population 8,139): St Nicholas' Local Ecumenical Partnership, Sturry (medieval) --- All Saints' Church, Westbere (medieval) --- St Mary the Virgin's Church, Fordwich (medieval, closed 1995) --- St Alban's Church, Hersden (1930s, closed 1978)
  • Benefice and Parish of Thanington (population 3,879): St Nicholas' Church (medieval) --- St Faith's Mission Church (C19th/20th, used occasionally)

1dedicated to St Alban (as a Garrison Church) until 1976

Deanery of East Bridge

  • Benefice of Barham Downs with Adisham and Aylesham
    • Parish of Adisham (population 640): Holy Innocents' Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Aylesham (population 6,402): St Peter's Church (1927)
    • Parish of Barham (population 1,494): St John the Baptist's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Bishopsbourne (population 237): St Mary's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Kingston (population 456): St Giles' Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Womenswold (population 293): St Margaret's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of The Bridge (population 3,242): St Peter's Church, Bekesbourne (medieval) --- St Peter's Church, Bridge (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Patrixbourne (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Lower Hardres (medieval, rebuilt 1832) --- St Mary's Church, Nackington (medieval)
  • Benefice of Canonry
  • Benefice of Little Stour

Deanery of Reculver

  • Benefice and Parish of Herne (population 15,901): St Martin's Church (medieval) --- St Peter's Mission Church, Greenhill (1960s)
  • Benefice and Parish of Herne Bay Christ Church (population 14,469): Christ Church (1841, parish church 1849, building 1835) --- St Andrew's Mission Church, Hampton (C20th) --- St John the Evangelist's Church, Herne Bay (1902, closed 1973)
  • Benefice and Parish of Reculver (population 10,640): St Mary the Virgin's Church, Reculver (1813, rebuilt 1878) --- St Bartholomew's Church, Herne Bay (1908, rebuilt 1932, parish church 1936) --- Holy Cross Church, Hoath (medieval) --- St Mary's Old Church, Reculver (Saxon, destroyed 1809)
  • Benefice and Parish of Whitstable (population 32,653): All Saints' Church (medieval) --- St Peter's District Church (1870s, rebuilt as parish church 1935) --- St Alphege's District Church (1840s) --- St Alphege's Old Church, Seasalter (medieval) --- St Alphege's New Church, Seasalter (2007) --- St John the Baptist's District Church, Swalecliffe (medieval, rebuilt 1875) --- St Andrew's Church, Whitstable?

Deanery of Stour Valley

Previously known as West Bridge.

  • Benefice of Chartham and Upper Hardres with Stelling
  • Benefice of King's Wood
    • Parish of Challock and Molash (population 1,336): SS Cosmas & Damian's Church, Challock (medieval) --- St Peter's Church, Molash (medieval)
    • Parish of Chilham (population 1,746): St Mary's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Crundale (population 210): St Mary the Blessed Virgin's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Godmersham (population 366): St Lawrence the Martyr's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice of Wye

1original dedication to St Gregory

Deanery of Thanet

  • Benefice and Parish of Birchington with Acol and Minnis Bay (population 11,019): All Saints' Church, Birchington (medieval) --- St Mildred's Mission Church, Acol (1876) --- St Thomas' Mission Church, Minnis Bay (1932)
  • Benefice and Parish of Broadstairs Holy Trinity (population 5,865): Holy Trinity Church (1830, parish church 1850)
  • Benefice and Parish of Margate All Saints Westbrook (population 5,745): All Saints' Church (1882, rebuilt and parish church 1894)
  • Benefice and Parish of Margate Holy Trinity (population 8,033): Holy Trinity New Church, Northdown Park (1959) --- Holy Trinity Old Church (1829, parish church 1842, destroyed 1943)
  • Benefice and Parish of Margate St John the Baptist (population 15,328): St John the Baptist's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Margate St Paul Cliftonville (population 8,263): St Paul's Church (1873)
  • Benefice and Parish of Margate St Philip Northdown Park (population 3,380): St Philip's Church, Palm Bay (1993)
  • Benefice and Parish of Ramsgate Christ Church (population 6,064): Christ Church (1847, services discontinued 2023, restarted 2025 [8] )
  • Benefice and Parish of Ramsgate Holy Trinity (population 6,138): Holy Trinity Church (1845)
  • Benefice and Parish of Ramsgate St George (population 4,628): St George the Martyr's Church (1824) --- St Paul's Church (1873, rebuilt 1887, closed 1940)
  • Benefice and Parish of Ramsgate St Luke (population 6,470): St Luke's Church (1876)
  • Benefice and Parish of Reading Street St Andrew (population 7,626): St Andrew's Church (1911)
  • Benefice and Parish of St-Laurence-in-Thanet (population 21,337): St Laurence's Church, Ramsgate (medieval) --- St Mary's District Church, Cliffsend (1957) --- St Catherine's District Church, Manston (1874) --- St Christopher's District Church, Newington (1955) --- St Mark's Mission Church, Ramsgate (1884, rebuilt 1967)
  • Benefice and Parish of St-Peter-in-Thanet (population 11,643): St Peter the Apostle's Church, Broadstairs (medieval)
  • Benefice of Wantsum
    • Parish of Chislet (population 930): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Minster-in-Thanet (population 3,944): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Monkton (population 745): St Mary Magdalene's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of St-Nicholas-at-Wade with Sarre (population 1,104): St Nicholas' Church, St-Nicholas-at-Wade (medieval) --- All Saints' Church, Shuart (medieval, closed C16th) --- St Giles' Church, Sarre (medieval, closed C16th)
  • Benefice and Parish of Westgate St James (population 6,523): St James's Church (1872)
  • Benefice and Parish of Westgate St Saviour (population 6,691): St Saviour's Church (1884)

Archdeaconry of Ashford

Deanery of Ashford

  • Benefice and Parish of Ashford Town (population 86,378): St Mary the Virgin's Church, Ashford (medieval) --- St Francis of Assisi's Church, South Ashford (1958) --- Christ Church, South Ashford (1867) --- St Mary's Church, Great Chart (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Kennington (medieval) --- St Michael and All Angels' Church, Kingsnorth (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Sevington (medieval) --- Singleton Community Church (C20th/21st, in village hall) --- SS Peter and Paul's Church, Shadoxhurst (medieval) --- St Francis' Mission Church, Stubbs Cross (C20th, irregular services only) --- St Mary the Virgin's Church, Willesborough (medieval)
  • Benefice of Calehill with Westwell
    • Parish of Calehill (population 6,580): SS Peter & Paul's Church, Charing (medieval) --- Holy Trinity Church, Charing Heath (1872) --- St Mary's New Church, Little Chart (1955) --- St James's Church, Egerton (medieval) --- St Margaret's Church, Hothfield (medieval, rebuilt 1598) --- St Nicholas' Church, Pluckley (medieval) --- St Mary's Old Church, Little Chart (medieval, destroyed 1944)
    • Parish of Westwell (population 802): St Mary's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Stour Downs (population 5,387): St Mary the Blessed Virgin's Church, Brabourne (medieval) --- St John the Baptist's Church, Mersham (medieval) --- St Peter's Church, Monks Horton (medieval) --- St Mary the Virgin's Church, Sellindge (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Smeeth (medieval) --- St Mary the Virgin's Church, Stowting (medieval)

Deanery of Dover

  • Benefice and Parish of Alkham with Capel Le Ferne and Hougham (population 3,151): St Anthony's Church, Alkham (medieval) --- St Radigund's Church, Capel-le-Ferne (C20th, rebuilt 1997) --- St Laurence's Church, Church Hougham (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Capel-le-Ferne (medieval, redundant 1986)
  • Benefice and Parish of Bewsborough (population 10,620): St Nicholas' Church, Barfreystone (medieval) --- St Pancras' Church, Coldred (medieval) --- SS Peter & Paul's Church, Eythorne (medieval) --- St Martin of Tours' Church, Guston (medieval) --- St Andrew's Church, Shepherdswell or Sibertswold (medieval, rebuilt 1863) --- St Peter's Church, Whitfield (medieval)
  • Benefice of Dover Town
    • Parish of Buckland-in-Dover with Buckland Valley (population 12,521): St Andrew's Church, Buckland (medieval) --- St Nicholas' Church, Buckland Valley (1948, rebuilt 1960) --- St Barnabas' Church, Buckland, Dover (1901, parish church 1903, destroyed 1940s)
    • Parish of Dover Charlton (population 8,417): SS Peter & Paul's New Church (1893) --- SS Peter & Paul's Old Church (medieval, rebuilt 1827, demolished 1893) --- St Bartholomew's Church (1879, closed 1972)
    • Parish of Dover St Martin (population 7,178): St Martin's Church (1903, rebuilt 1910)
    • Parish of Dover St Mary (population 5,014): St Mary's Church (medieval, rebuilt 1844) --- Aycliffe Church Centre (C20th, closed 2020) --- St Peter's Church (medieval, closed C16th) --- St James's Old Church (medieval, destroyed 1940s) --- St James's New Church (1862, demolished 1953) --- Holy Trinity Church (1835, parish church 1841, destroyed 1940s) --- St Martin-le-Grand Church (medieval, closed C16th) --- Christ Church (1843, demolished C20th) --- St John the Baptist's Church (medieval, demolished 1537) --- St Nicholas' Church (medieval, closed C16th) --- St Martin-the-Less Church (medieval, closed C16th)
  • Benefice and Parish of River (population 4,363): SS Peter & Paul's Church (medieval, rebuilt 1831)
  • Benefice of St Margarets-At-Cliffe with Westcliffe and East Langdon with West Langdon
    • Parish of St-Margaret's-at-Cliffe (population 2,563): St Margaret of Antioch's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of The Langdons (population 607): St Augustine of Canterbury's Church, East Langdon (medieval) --- St Mary the Virgin's Church, West Langdon (medieval, rebuilt 1869, 1908)
    • Parish of Westcliffe (population 48): St Peter's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Temple Ewell with Lydden (population 2,181): SS Peter & Paul's Church, Temple Ewell (medieval) --- St Mary the Virgin's Church, Lydden (medieval)

Deanery of Elham

  • Benefice of Cheriton with Newington
    • Parish of Cheriton Street (population 10,434): All Souls' Church, Folkestone (1887, parish church 1892, rebuilt 1895)
    • Parish of Cheriton (population 4,694): St Martin's Church (medieval) --- Seabrook Mission Hall (1883, closed 2019)
    • Parish of Newington-next-Hythe (population 292): St Nicholas' Church (medieval)
  • Benefice of Elham Valley
    • Parish of Acrise and Swingfield (population 1,387): St Martin's Church, Acrise (medieval) --- St Peter's Church, Swingfield (medieval, redundant 2000)
    • Parish of Denton and Wootton (population 261): St Mary Magdalene's Church, Denton (medieval) --- St Martin's Church, Wootton (medieval)
    • Parish of Elham (population 1,449): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Lyminge with Paddlesworth (population 2,839): SS Mary & Ethelburga's Church, Lyminge (medieval) --- St Oswald's Church, Paddlesworth (medieval)
    • Parish of Postling (population 199): SS Mary & Radegund's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Stanford (population 398): All Saints' Church (medieval, rebuilt 1878) --- St Mary's Church, Westenhanger (medieval, closed C16th)
  • Benefice and Parish of Folkestone St Augustine, St Mary and St Eanswythe with St Saviour (population 13,717): St Augustine of Canterbury's Mission Church (1953) --- SS Mary & Eanswythe's Church (medieval) --- St Augustine of Canterbury's Old Mission Church (closed 1941) --- St Saviour's Church (1882, rebuilt 1893, closed C21st) --- Holy Cross Mission Church (1953, closed 1970s)
  • Benefice and Parish of Folkestone St John the Baptist (population 9,085): St John the Baptist's Church (1877, parish church 1883)
  • Benefice and Parish of Folkestone St Peter (population 3,548): St Peter's Church (1862, parish church 1868)
  • Benefice of Folkestone Trinity
    • Parish of Folkestone Holy Trinity (population 5,489): Holy Trinity Church (1868) --- Christ Church (1850, destroyed 1942) --- Emmanuel Church (1882, closed 1910) --- St Michael & All Angels' Church (1865, rebuilt 1878, closed 1940)
    • Parish of Folkestone St George (population 4,280): St George's Church (1938)
    • Parish of Sandgate St Paul (population 3,032): St Paul's Church (1822, rebuilt 1849)
  • Benefice and Parish of Hawkinge (population 8,601): St Luke's Lighthouse Church (2007) --- St Michael's Church (medieval, redundant 1980)
  • Benefice and Parish of Hythe (population 9,800): St Leonard's Church (medieval) --- Holy Cross Church, Palmarsh (1958) --- St Michael's Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP since 2011) --- St Michael & All Angels' Church (1893, closed 2011)
  • Benefice of Lympne and Saltwood
    • Parish of Lympne (population 1,788): St Stephen's Church (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, West Hythe (medieval, closed C16th)
    • Parish of Saltwood (population 3,099): SS Peter & Paul's Church (medieval) --- Pedlinge Chapel of Ease (C19th, rebuilt 1903)

Deanery of Romney

Deanery of Sandwich

  • Benefice and Parish of Deal St Andrew (population 4,192): St Andrew's Church (1850, parish church 1852)
  • Benefice and Parish of Deal St George (population 2,458): St George the Martyr's Church (1816, parish church 1852)
  • Benefice and Parish of Upper Deal and Great Mongeham (population 17,369): St Leonard's Church, Deal (medieval) --- St Richard's Church, Deal (1934) --- St Martin's Church, Great Mongeham (medieval) --- St Nicholas' Church, Sholden (medieval)
  • Benefice of Eastry and Woodnesborough
    • Parish of Eastry (population 2,373): St Mary the Blessed Virgin's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Northbourne with Betteshanger and Ham (population 777): St Augustine's Church, Northbourne (medieval) --- St Mary the Virgin's Church, Betteshanger (medieval, rebuilt 1853, closed) --- St George's Church, Ham (medieval, redundant 1973)
    • Parish of Staple (population 556): St James the Great's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Tilmanstone (population 321): St Andrew's Church (medieval) --- All Saints' Church, Waldershare (medieval, redundant 1980)
    • Parish of Woodnesborough (population 1,511): St Mary the Blessed Virgin's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice of Sandwich and Worth
    • Parish of Sandwich (population 4,288): St Clement's Church (medieval) --- St Peter's Church (medieval, redundant 1973) --- St Mary's Church (medieval, closed 1950s)
    • Parish of Worth (population 1,291): SS Peter & Paul's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice of Walmer and Cornilo

Deanery of Vineyard

(created 2024 out of the previous Deanery of Romney and Tenterden)

  • Benefice of Biddenden and Smarden
    • Parish of Biddenden (population 2,623): All Saints' Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Smarden (population 1,433): St Michael the Archangel's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Denswood (population 5,855): St Margaret's Church, Bethersden (medieval) --- St Mary the Virgin's Church, High Halden (medieval) --- All Saints' Church, Woodchurch (medieval)
  • Benefice of Tenterden, Rother and Oxney
    • Parish of Appledore (population 794): SS Peter & Paul's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Ebony (population 108): St Mary the Virgin's New Church, Reading Street (1858) --- St Mary's Old Church (medieval, closed C19th)
    • Parish of Newenden (population 209): St Peter's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Rolvenden (population 1,599): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Smallhythe (population 176): St John the Baptist's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Stone-in-Oxney (population 382): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Tenterden (population 8,016): St Mildred's Church (medieval) --- St Michael and All Angels' Church (1863)
    • Parish of Wittersham (population 1,174): St John the Baptist's Church (medieval)

Archdeaconry of Maidstone

Deanery of Maidstone

  • Benefice and Parish of Allington and Maidstone St Peter (population 15,671): St Nicholas' Church, Allington (1937, rebuilt 1975) --- St Laurence's Church, Allington (medieval, closed 1969) --- St Peter's Church, Maidstone (1839, building medieval, redundant 1980s)
  • Benefice and Parish of Maidstone Barming Heath (population 6,552): St Andrew's Church, Barming Heath (1907, dedicated 1925, parish church 1930)
  • Benefice and Parish of Loose (population 6,160): All Saints' Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Maidstone All Saints St Philip with St Stephen Tovil (population 21,213): All Saints' Church (medieval)1 --- St Philip's Church (1856, parish church 1861) --- St Stephen's Church, Tovil, Maidstone (1839, demolished c. 1990) --- Holy Trinity Church (1826, parish church 1841, closed 1966) --- St John the Evangelist's Church (1861, closed 1971)
  • Benefice and Parish of Maidstone St Faith (population 3,419): St Faith's Church, Ringlestone, Maidstone (1935, rebuilt and dedicated 2023) --- St Faith's Old Church, Maidstone (1872, closed 2022)
  • Benefice and Parish of Maidstone St Luke (population 8,727): St Luke the Evangelist's Church (1886, parish church 1895, rebuilt 1897)
  • Benefice and Parish of Maidstone St Martin (population 19,222): St Martin's Church, Shepway, Maidstone (1953, rebuilt 1957) --- St Hilary's Church, Shepway (1928, rebuilt 1934, closed 1950s) --- Christ Church, Parkwood, Maidstone (1966, closed C21st?)
  • Benefice and Parish of Maidstone St Michael (population 6,614): St Michael and All Angels' Church, Maidstone (1876)
  • Benefice and Parish of Maidstone St Paul (population 5,558): St Paul's Church, Maidstone (1859, rebuilt 1970)

1original dedication to St Mary

Deanery of North Downs

Deanery of Ospringe

  • Benefice of Boughton-Under-Blean with Dunkirk, Goodnestone with Graveney, and Hernhill
    • Parish of Boughton-under-Blean with Dunkirk (population 3,374): SS Peter & Paul's Church, Boughton-under-Blean (medieval) --- St Barnabas' Church, Boughton-under-Blean (1871, rebuilt 1896) --- Christ Church, Dunkirk (1840, redundant 1988)
    • Parish of Goodnestone with Graveney (population 393): All Saints' Church, Graveney (medieval) --- St Bartholomew's Church, Goodnestone (medieval, redundant 1985)
    • Parish of Hernhill (population 1,100): St Michael's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice of Faversham
  • Benefice of Kingsdown, Creekside and High Downs
    • Parish of High Downs (population 1,050): St Mary's Church, Eastling (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Stalisfield (medieval) --- St Michael & All Angels' Church, Throwley (medieval)
    • Parish of Kingsdown and Creekside (population 6,372): The Beheading of St John the Baptist's Church, Doddington (medieval) --- SS Peter & Paul's Church, Lynsted (medieval) --- SS Peter & Paul's Church, Newnham (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Norton (medieval) --- St Peter's Church, Oare (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Teynham (medieval; also services in primary school) --- St Margaret's Church, Wychling (medieval) --- St Nicholas' Church, Buckland (medieval, ruined C18th) --- St Mary's Church, Stone-next-Faversham (medieval, ruined C16th) --- St Mary's Church, Luddenham (medieval, redundant 1972) --- St Catherine's Church, Kingsdown (medieval, rebuilt C19th)
  • Benefice of Shepherds Lees
    • Parish of Badlesmere with Leaveland (population 239): St Leonard's Church, Badlesmere (medieval) --- St Laurence's Church, Leaveland (medieval)
    • Parish of Selling (population 866): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Sheldwich (population 410): St James's Church (medieval)

Deanery of Sittingbourne

  • Benefice and Parish of Borden (population 4,832): SS Peter & Paul's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Eastchurch with Leysdown and Harty (population 8,120): All Saints' Church, Eastchurch (medieval) --- St Thomas the Apostle's Church, Harty (medieval) --- St Clement's Church, Leysdown (medieval, demolished 1980s)
  • Benefice of Milton Regis with Murston, Bapchild and Tonge
    • Parish of Milton Regis (population 18,773): Holy Trinity Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Murston, Bapchild and Tonge (population 9,190): St Laurence's Church, Bapchild (medieval) --- All Saints' New Church, Murston (1874) --- St Giles' Church, Tonge (medieval) --- All Saints' Old Church, Murston (medieval, demolished 1874)
  • Benefice and Parish of West Sheppey (population 38,793): SS Mary & Sexburga's Church, Minster-in-Sheppey --- Holy Trinity Church, Queenborough (medieval) --- Holy Trinity Church, Sheerness (1836, parish church 1851) --- St Peter's Church, Halfway (1925, rebuilt 1973, closed 2015) --- St Paul's Church, Sheerness (1872, demolished 1962) --- St George's Royal Dockyard Church, Sheerness (1828, rebuilt 1881, closed 1960s)
  • Benefice of Sittingbourne with Bobbing
    • Parish of Sittingbourne Holy Trinity with Bobbing (population 6,090): Holy Trinity Church, Sittingbourne (1869, rebuilt 1873) --- St Bartholomew's Church, Bobbing (medieval)
    • Parish of Sittingbourne St Mary and St Michael (population 15,890): St Michael's Church, Sittingbourne (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne (1902, parish church 1925, closed 2010) --- St Paul's Church, Sittingbourne (1863, demolished 1955)
  • Benefice of The Six
  • Benefice of Tunstall and Bredgar
    • Parish of Bredgar with Bicknor (population 815): St John the Baptist's Church, Bredgar (medieval) --- St James's Church, Bicknor (medieval)
    • Parish of Frinsted (population 163): St Dunstan's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Milstead (population 169): St Mary & Holy Cross Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Rodmersham (population 582): St Nicholas' Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Tunstall (population 2,560): St John the Baptist's Church (medieval)
    • Parish of Wormshill (population 185): St Giles' Church (medieval)

Deanery of Weald

Dedications

Medieval churches

Post-medieval churches

Benefices by population

BeneficePopulationChurchesClergy (Oct 2025)
Ashford86,378111 Team Rector, 3 Team Vicars, 2 Curates, 2 NSMs
West Sheppey38,7933 Vacant
Dover33,13052 Team Vicars, 1 NSM
Milton Regis w Murston, Bapchild & Tonge // Borden32,7955Vacant (prev. 1 Joint P-in-C), 1 Curate, 2 NSMs
Whitstable32,65361 Team Rector, 2 Team Vicars, 2 Curates, 1 NSM
North Downs26,967121 Priest-in-Charge
Romney Marsh22,716141 Team Rector, 1 Team Vicar, 3 NSMs
Sittingbourne with Bobbing21,9803Vacant, 1 NSM
Faversham21,62441 Vicar, 1 Curate
Ramsgate St Laurence in Thanet21,33751 Priest-in-Charge
Allington with Maidstone St Peter // Maidstone St Paul21,22921 Joint Priest-in-Charge
Maidstone All Saints St Philip with St Stephen Tovil21,2132 Vacant
Margate St John the Baptist // Margate All Saints21,07321 Joint Priest-in-Charge
Maidstone St Martin19,22211 Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM
Upper Deal and Great Mongeham17,36941 Priest-in-Charge, 3 NSMs
Margate St Paul // Margate Holy Trinity16,29621 Joint Priest-in-Charge, 2 Curates, 1 NSM
Herne15,90121 Priest-in-Charge
Cheriton with Newington15,42031 Rector, 1 NSM
Herne Bay Christ Church14,46921 Vicar, 1 Curate, 1 NSM
Folkestone SS Augustine, Mary & Eanswythe13,71721 Priest-in-Charge
Wantsum // Westgate St Saviour13,41451 Joint Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM
Folkestone Trinity12,8013Vacant, 3 NSMs
The Six12,4966Vacant, 1 NSM
Tenterden, Rother and Oxney12,45891 Team Rector, 1 Team Vicar, 1 NSM
Broadstairs St Peter in Thanet11,64311 Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM
Ramsgate St Luke // Ramsgate St George11,09821 Joint Vicar/Priest-in-Charge, 1 Curate
Birchington with Acol and Minnis Bay11,01931 Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM
Reculver10,6403Vacant, 1 NSM
Bewsborough10,62061 Rector, 1 Curate
Ramsgate Holy Trinity // Deal St Andrew (under Bp of Richborough)10,3302 Vacant (previously 1 Joint Rector)
Walmer and Cornilo10,17781 Rector, 3 NSMs
Canterbury St Dunstan, St Mildred & St Peter10,09731 Rector
Hythe9,80031 Vicar, 1 Curate
Barham Downs with Adisham and Aylesham9,52261 Rector, 2 Curates
Folkestone St John the Baptist9,08511 Vicar, 1 Curate
Canterbury Hackington9,04211 Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM, 1 Hon. Curate
Canterbury St Mary Bredin8,76211 Vicar, 1 Curate
Maidstone St Luke8,72711 Vicar, 2 Curates, 1 NSM
Hawkinge8,60111 Priest-in-Charge
Len Valley8,2394Vacant
Canterbury All Saints8,19511 Priest-in-Charge, 1 Curate, 1 NSM
Sturry with Fordwich and Westbere with Hersden8,1392Vacant
Eastchurch with Leysdown and Harty8,1202 Vacant (since 2016)
Canterbury St Martin and St Paul8,09521 Rector
Reading Street7,62611 Vicar
Kingsdown, Creekside and High Downs7,422101 Vicar, 1 Curate
Calehill with Westwell7,38271 Rector
Headcorn and the Suttons7,3584 Vacant
Staplehurst6,65411 Rector
Maidstone St Michael (under Bishop of Richborough)6,61411 Priest-in-Charge
Maidstone St Andrew6,55211 Priest-in-Charge
Elham Valley6,53381 Rector, 1 NSM, 1 OLM
Westgate St James (under Bishop of Ebbsfleet)6,52311 Priest-in-Charge
Wye6,30381 Vicar, 2 Curates, 1 OLM
Loose (under Bishop of Ebbsfleet)6,16011 Vicar, 1 Curate
Ramsgate Christ Church (under Bishop of Ebbsfleet)6,0641Vacant (since 2021)
Canonry5,88461 Vicar, 1 NSM
Broadstairs Holy Trinity5,8651 Vacant
Denswood5,85531 Rector, 1 Curate
Canterbury Harbledown (under Bishop of Richborough)5,81021 Rector
Chartham and Upper Hardres with Stelling5,70331 Vicar
Sandwich and Worth5,57921 Rector, 1 NSM
Eastry and Woodnesborough5,53851 Rector, 1 NSM
Stour Downs5,38761 Vicar
Cranbrook5,26011 Vicar, 1 Curate
Marden5,18811 Vicar, 1 Curate
Saxon Shoreline5,04981 Rector
Hawkhurst4,91611 Vicar
Lympne and Saltwood4,88731 Rector, 1 NSM
Boughton, Dunkirk, Goodnestone, Graveney, Hernhill4,86741 Priest-in-Charge
Tunstall and Bredgar4,47471 Rector, 1 Curate
River4,36311 Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM
Little Stour4,27551 Priest-in-Charge
Blean4,20211 Vicar, 1 NSM
Biddenden and Smarden4,05621 Priest-in-Charge
Thanington3,87921 Priest-in-Charge
Benenden and Sandhurst3,71931 Vicar, 1 NSM
King's Wood3,65851 Rector
Boughton Monchelsea3,5741 Vacant
Folkestone St Peter (under Bishop of Richborough)3,5481 Vacant
Maidstone St Faith3,41911 Priest-in-Charge
Margate St Philip3,38011 Vicar
Bridge3,24251 Vicar
St Margarets-At-Cliffe with Westcliffe and Langdons3,2184 Vacant (0.5FTE)
Alkham with Capel Le Ferne and Hougham3,15131 Priest-in-Charge
Goudhurst with Kilndown3,07621 Vicar
Deal St George2,4581Vacant
Sissinghurst with Frittenden2,32621 Rector
Temple Ewell with Lydden2,18121 Priest-in-Charge
Shepherds Lees1,51541 Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM
[Canterbury Cathedral37511 Dean, 2 Canons Residentiary]
[Dover Castle011 Hon. Chaplain]

There are a total of 90 benefices (counting multiple benefices held simultaneously by the same cleric as one).

Deaneries by population

DeaneryPopulationChurchesClergy (Oct 2025)Popn. per stip. cl.
Thanet141,476263 Vicars, 7 Priests-in-Charge, 3 Curates, 4 NSMs10,883
Sittingbourne118,658261 Rector, 1 Deanery Minister, 2 Curates, 4 NSMs29,665
Ashford99,147242 Rectors, 4 Vicars, 2 Curates, 2 NSMs12,393
Maidstone93,136102 Vicars, 5 Priests-in-Charge, 3 Curates, 2 NSMs9,314
Elham84,392253 Rectors, 2 Vicars, 2 Priests-in-Charge, 2 Curates, 6 NSMs, 1 OLM9,377
Reculver73,663131 Rector, 3 Vicars, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 3 Curates, 3 NSMs9,208
Canterbury66,221153 Rectors, 2 Vicars, 3 Priests-in-Charge, 2 Curates, 3 NSMs, 1 Hon. Curate6,622
Dover56,663211 Rector, 2 Vicars, 3 Priests-in-Charge, 1 Curate, 2 NSMs8,095
Sandwich45,313213 Rectors, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 7 NSMs11,328
North Downs38,780171 Priest-in-Charge38,780
Weald38,497152 Rectors, 5 Vicars, 2 Curates, 1 NSM4,277
Ospringe35,428222 Vicars, 2 Priests-in-Charge, 2 Curates, 1 NSM5,905
Romney27,765222 Rectors, 1 Vicar, 3 NSMs9,255
East Bridge22,923221 Rector, 2 Vicars, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 2 Curates, 1 NSM3,821
Vineyard22,369142 Rectors, 1 Vicar, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 1 Curate, 1 NSM4,474
Stour Valley15,664161 Rector, 2 Vicars, 2 Curates, 1 OLM3,133
Totals980,095309108 stipendiary clergy, 43 non-stipendiaryaverage: 9,075

Archdeaconries by population

ArchdeaconryPopulationChurchesClergy (Nov 2025)Popn. per stip. cl.
Ashford335,64912736 stipendiary, 22 non-stipendiary9,324
Maidstone324,4999030 stipendiary, 8 non-stipendiary10,817
Canterbury319,9479242 stipendiary, 13 non-stipendiary7,618

Historical revenue

The Report of the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to inquire into the Ecclesiastical Revenues of England and Wales (1835) noted the net annual revenue for the Canterbury see was £19,182. [9] This made it the wealthiest diocese in England.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Canterbury Diocese — Synod News Archived June 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ "Turnbull, Michael" . Who's Who . Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 25 April 2014.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. ↑ "Llewellin, (John) Richard (Allan)" . Who's Who . Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 25 April 2014.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. ↑ "Cray, Graham Alan" . Who's Who . Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 25 April 2014.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  5. ↑ Drew, Anna (11 September 2016). "New Archdeacon of Canterbury appointed". The Diocese of Canterbury. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  6. ↑ "Deaneries and parishes". The Diocese of Canterbury. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  7. ↑ "Diocese of Canterbury | Deaneries and Parishes". www.canterburydiocese.org. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  8. ↑ Bailes, Kathy (25 January 2025). "Services to resume at Christ Church Ramsgate". The Isle of Thanet News. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  9. ↑ The National Enclopaedia of Useful Knowledge, Vol.III, Charles Knight, London, 1847, p.362
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