John Clarke (dean of Wells)

John Martin Clarke (born 20 February 1952) is a retired Anglican priest. He was the Dean of Wells from 2004 until his retirement on 31 December 2015.[1]

The Very Reverend John Clarke
Dean of Wells
Church	Church of England
Diocese	Diocese of Bath and Wells
In office	2004 to 2015
Predecessor	Richard Lewis
Successor	John Davies
Orders
Ordination	1976 (deacon) 1977 (priest)
Personal details
Birth name	John Martin Clarke
Born	(1952-02-20) 20 February 1952
Denomination	Anglicanism

Early life and education

Clarke was born on 20 February 1952 and educated at West Buckland School, an independent school in West Buckland, Devon.[2] In 1973, he entered Edinburgh Theological College, an Anglican theological college in Edinburgh.[3] During this time, he also studied at the University of Edinburgh, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree in 1976.[2][3] He studied at Hertford College, Oxford and Edinburgh University.[4]

Ordained ministry

Clarke was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1976 and as a priest in 1977.[5] His career began with a curacy at The Ascension, Kenton, Newcastle,[6] after which he was precentor of St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth, then the information officer and communications advisor to the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church. From 1989 to 1996 he was vicar of St Mary, Battersea,[7] then principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon and finally (before his appointment to the deanery) a residentiary canon at Lincoln Cathedral.[8]

As part of his duties as dean of Wells Cathedral he is also chairman of the governors at Wells Cathedral School.

Since 2011, Clarke has been one of the Church Commissioners, the body which manages the assets of the Church of England.[9]

References

1. "Dean of Wells: John Harverd Davies". 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
2. "CLARKE, Very Rev. John Martin". Who's Who 2017. Oxford University Press. November 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
3. "Clarke John Martin". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
4. Who's Who2008: London, A & C Black ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
5. Crockford's Clerical Directory2008/2009 Lambeth, Church House Publishing ISBN 978-0-7151-1030-0
6. Genuki
7. Church web site Archived 2009-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
8. Debrett's People of Today London, 2008 Debrett's, ISBN 978-1-870520-95-9
9. "The Church Commissioners". Church of England. Retrieved 28 January 2014.

Church of England titles
Preceded by Richard Lewis	Dean of Wells 2004 – 2015	Succeeded by John Davies