Downing Street announced on Wednesday 1st November that The Queen has approved the appointment of the Very Revd Chris Dalliston as Dean of Peterborough.
Chris Dalliston is currently Dean of Newcastle, a post he has held since 2003. During his time at Newcastle he has overseen significant improvements in the Cathedral’s facilities for visitors and worshippers, and led a partnership with the City Council and others to re-invigorate the historic heart of the city. In March this year the Cathedral was awarded a major Heritage Lottery Fund grant as part of a £6 million project to transform the nave, renew visitor facilities and re-shape external spaces.
Under his leadership Newcastle Cathedral has built partnerships with city institutions, including the universities, the other churches and faith communities. The Cathedral sponsors a Street Pastor project and a Night Church, offering itself as a spiritual sanctuary at the heart of the city’s night life. Chris was one of four faith leaders (Christian, Jewish Muslim and Sikh) to take part in an interfaith, intergenerational visit to Auschwitz in 2013. The visit resulted in an annual programme of interfaith events at the Cathedral.
Chris has his roots in the east of England. He grew up in Norfolk, studied at Cambridge University and served in the Diocese of Chelmsford for the first 12 years of his ministry. Before going to Newcastle he was Vicar of St Botolph’s Church at Boston in Lincolnshire (known locally as ‘the Stump’), where he oversaw a growing congregation and the building of a new church and community centre for the daughter church of St Christopher’s.
Chris is excited by the challenge that lies ahead at Peterborough:
“I feel deeply privileged to be asked to take on this role. Peterborough is a growing, dynamic city with a great future. At its heart stands this extraordinary Cathedral – without doubt one of the great buildings of England. There have been some difficult times recently, but there is here a team of people who are determined to rebuild confidence and a growing congregation that is excited about what the future can bring. There is also a wider community who long to see this place, on the threshold of its 900th anniversary, not just as a powerful symbol of Peterborough’s illustrious past, but as an active participant in helping to shape its future.
“I will do all I can, working with the Bishop and my colleagues, to help fulfil this vision and shape the ministry of the Cathedral to be a sign of God’s amazing love, grace and presence in the city, the diocese and the region”.
The Bishop of Peterborough, the Right Revd Donald Allister, welcomed the news:
“I am delighted that Chris Dalliston will be joining us as Dean. His ministry at Newcastle Cathedral has been very impressive. I am confident that he will bring much-needed gifts and perspective to our Cathedral and Diocese. I look forward to welcoming Chris and working with him.”
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Revd Christine Hardman, paid tribute to Chris’s work in the city:
“For fourteen years, Chris has served both the Cathedral and the people of Newcastle superbly. His vision has been to establish the Cathedral’s place at the heart of city centre life, with a care for the most vulnerable and with close links to city institutions and businesses, as well as other churches and faiths. He is responsible for many improvements to the Cathedral and most recently has been leading our bid for Heritage Lottery funding to secure the Cathedral’s future as an inspirational place to visit and worship.
“Chris leaves a legacy that is truly exciting, one where we are able to build for the future. He moves with our gratitude for all that he has given to this Diocese and we assure him of our prayers and very best wishes.”
Chris will be installed as Dean of Peterborough on Saturday 20th January 2018, at the 3.30pm service of Evensong.
He succeeds the Very Revd Charles Taylor who retired from Peterborough Cathedral in October 2016.
A Brief Biography
Chris (61) was born in 1956 and brought up at Diss in Norfolk. He studied Modern History at Peterhouse, Cambridge, then worked for the Ford Motor Company from 1978 to 1981 before entering St Stephen’s House, Oxford to study theology and train for ordination.
He was ordained Deacon in 1984 and Priest in 1985, and served his curacy at St Andrew with Holy Trinity, Halstead, Essex. From 1987 to 1991 he was Chaplain to the Bishop of Chelmsford, and from 1991 to 1995 Vicar of St Edmund’s Church at Forest Gate in London.
Chris moved to Lincolnshire to become Priest in Charge then Vicar of St Botolph’s Church, Boston from 1995-2003. He was also Area Dean of Holland East from 1997 to 2003.
In 2003 he became Dean of Newcastle.
Chris is married to Michelle and has four adult children, Alex, Tom, Georgie, and Bella. Michelle is also ordained and currently serves as Team Rector in north Newcastle, where she will continue for the time being.
Chris lists poetry and music (especially jazz, folk and opera) among his interests. He and Michelle love Italy and all things Italian. He is a keen follower of Formula 1 and a (very) long suffering supporter of Norwich City FC.