The Vice-Dean of Chester Cathedral, The Revd Canon Barry Wilson, has been appointed as Archdeacon of Montgomery, which covers the southern half of the diocese of St Asaph. The current Archdeacon of St Asaph, the Venerable John Lomas, will move to take up responsibility for the Archdeaconry of Wrexham.
Announcing the new appointment, Bishop Gregory said: “The appointment of Barry from the Diocese of Chester brings different ideas and experiences to the leadership team and we look forward to moving ahead with our exciting plans for the diocese.”
Canon Barry Wilson, a former RE teacher from Stoke on Trent, was ordained in 1997. He has been working in the Diocese of Chester since 2013, firstly as Rector of St Mary’s in Nantwich and most recently as Vice-Dean of Chester Cathedral. Before that, he was Vicar of All Saints’ Madeley and St Margaret’s, Betley, near Newcastle under Lyme in the Diocese of Lichfield.
Barry said: “I am delighted to be moving to Wales, and bringing with me the skills and experience I have developed in growing churches in Staffordshire and Cheshire during my ministry. I am looking forward to returning to rural life with my move to the Montgomery Archdeaconry. My happiest times in ministry were in rural communities where close relationships develop easily and deep conversations follow.”
Barry is married to Yvonne and they have two children and three grandchildren. Barry and Yvonne will be moving to Llandrinio later in the year to take up the post.
The Diocese of St Asaph is part of the Church in Wales, an independent Province within the worldwide Anglican Communion of Churches. The diocese is a community of 228 churches covering the counties of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham and parts of Gwynedd and Powys. It looks after 51 schools, including one shared faith secondary school.