Diocese of Hereford
Diocese of the Church of England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Diocese of Hereford is a Church of England diocese based in Hereford, covering Herefordshire, southern Shropshire and a few parishes within Worcestershire in England, and a few parishes within Powys and Monmouthshire in Wales. The cathedral is Hereford Cathedral and the bishop is the Bishop of Hereford. The diocese is one of the oldest in England (created in 676 and based on the minor sub-kingdom of the Magonsæte) and is part of the Province of Canterbury.
Diocese of Hereford Dioecesis Herefordiensis | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms | |
 Flag | |
| Location | |
| Ecclesiastical province | Canterbury |
| Archdeaconries | Hereford, Ludlow |
| Statistics | |
| Parishes | 338[1] |
| Churches | 402[1] |
| Information | |
| Cathedral | Hereford Cathedral |
| Language | English |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Richard Jackson |
| Archdeacons | Derek Chedzey, Archdeacon of Hereford Archdeacon of Ludlow (vacant) |
| Website | |
| hereford.anglican.org | |
Bishops
The diocesan Bishop of Hereford (Richard Jackson) was, until 2020, assisted by the Bishop suffragan of Ludlow (which see was created in 1981) — it has been announced that the suffragan See is not to be filled.[2] The provincial episcopal visitor (for parishes in this diocese – among twelve others in the western part of the Province of Canterbury – who reject the ministry of priests who are women, since 1994) is the Bishop suffragan of Oswestry, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese in order to facilitate his work there.
Three retired bishops are licensed as assistant bishops in the diocese:
- David Thomson (Bishop of Huntingdon), lives in Hereford.
- Michael Bourke (Bishop of Wolverhampton) also lives in the diocese.
Statistics
As reported in the Church of England's Statistics for Mission 2018, published in October 2019, the diocese had a population of 331,000, fewer than any other except Sodor and Man.[1] With 402 churches, the population per church was 820, the lowest of any diocese and less than 60% of the 1420 in the next lowest, St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.[1] Average weekly church attendance was 8,700, a new low, down from 9,300 in 2017.[4] The total worshipping community was estimated at 13,300, up from 11,700 in 2014, and 44% of these were aged over 70 years.[5]
Archdeaconries and deaneries
The following deanery mergers have taken place:
- Kington and Weobley before 1972
- Ross and Archenfield before 1979
| Diocese | Archdeaconry | Deanery | Paid clergy | Churches | Population | People/clergy | People/church | Churches/clergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Hereford | Archdeaconry of Hereford | Deanery of Abbeydore | 5 | 35 | 12,046 | 2,409 | 344 | 7 |
| Deanery of Bromyard | 5 | 23 | 10,465 | 2,093 | 455 | 4.6 | ||
| Deanery of Hereford | 18* | 44* | 79,772 | 4,432 | 1,813 | 2.44 | ||
| Deanery of Kington and Weobley | 5 | 30 | 14,142 | 2,828 | 471 | 6 | ||
| Deanery of Ledbury | 5 | 22 | 17,884 | 3,577 | 813 | 4.4 | ||
| Deanery of Leominster | 7 | 35 | 22,808 | 3,258 | 652 | 5 | ||
| Deanery of Ross and Archenfield | 9 | 39 | 28,355 | 3,151 | 727 | 4.33 | ||
| Archdeaconry of Ludlow | Deanery of Bridgnorth | 10 | 34 | 28,851 | 2,885 | 849 | 3.4 | |
| Deanery of Clun Forest | 5 | 27 | 10,383 | 2,077 | 385 | 5.4 | ||
| Deanery of Condover | 6 | 36 | 20,001 | 2,857 | 556 | 5.14 | ||
| Deanery of Ludlow | 6 | 42 | 28,238 | 4,706 | 672 | 7 | ||
| Deanery of Pontesbury | 5 | 24 | 15,091 | 3,018 | 629 | 4.8 | ||
| Deanery of Telford Severn Gorge | 5 | 9 | 25,952 | 5,190 | 2,884 | 1.8 | ||
| Total/average | 92 | 400 | 313,988 | 3,413 | 785 | 4.35 | ||
*including Cathedral
Churches
Extra-parochial areas
- Brockhampton Dingle (population 0)
- Dinmore (population 20)
- Dinmore Preceptory (population 18)
- Hampton Wafer (population 0)
- Hill End and Old Church Moor (population 6)
- Horderley Hall (population 0)
- Liberty of St John the Baptist (population 19): Hereford Cathedral of SS Mary the Virgin & Ethelbert the King
- Livers Ocle (population 42)
- Ludlow Castle (population 1)
- New Court (population 0)
- New Hampton (population 46)
- Treville (population 51)
- Woodhouse (population 0)
Archdeaconry of Hereford
Deanery of Abbeydore
- Benefice of Black Mountains
- Parish of Clodock and Longtown (population 627)
- St Clydog's Church, Clodock (medieval parish church)
- St Peter's Church, Longtown (medieval chapel to Clodock, closed and converted to house C20th)
- Parish of Craswall (population 153): St Mary's Church (medieval chapel to Clydog)
- Parish of Llanveynoe (population 103): SS Beuno & Peter's Church (medieval chapel to Clydog)
- Parish of Michaelchurch Escley (population 169): St Michael's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Newton (population 126): St John the Baptist's Church (1842)
- Parish of St Margaret's (population 159): St Margaret's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Clodock and Longtown (population 627)
- Benefice of Borderlink
- Parish of Blakemere (population 77): St Leonard's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Bredwardine with Brobury (population 229)
- St Andrew's Church, Bredwardine (medieval)
- St Mary Magdalene's Church, Brobury (medieval, abandoned 1850s)
- Parish of Clifford (population 366): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Cusop (population 389): St Mary's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Dorstone (population 400): St Faith's Church (medieval, rebuilt 1826, 1890)
- Parish of Hardwicke (population 177): Holy Trinity Church (1851)
- Parish of Moccas (population 107): St Michael & All Angels' Church (medieval)
- Parish of Preston-on-Wye (population 194): St Lawrence's Church (medieval)
- Benefice of Cagebrook
- Parish of Allensmore (population 556): St Andrew's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Clehonger (population 1,571): All Saints' Church (medieval)
- Parish of Eaton Bishop (population 435): St Michael & All Angels' Church (medieval)
- Parish of Kingstone (population 1,499): St Michael & All Angels' Church (medieval)
- Parish of Thruxton (population 47): St Bartholomew's Church (medieval)
- Benefice of Ewyas Harold
- Parish of Abbeydore (population 283)
- St Mary's Church (medieval abbey, reconsecrated as parish church 1634)
- Cockyard Mission Hall (1920s, converted smithy)
- Parish of Bacton (population 60): St Faith's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Ewyas Harold and Dulas (population 904)
- St Michael & All Angels' Church, Ewyas Harold (medieval)
- St Michael's Church, Dulas (medieval, rebuilt 1866, redundant 2008)
- Parish of Kentchurch with Llangua (population 339)
- St Mary's Church, Kentchurch (medieval)
- St James's Church, Llangua (medieval, originally St Kew's, redundant 1950s)
- Parish of Kilpeck (population 258): SS Mary & David's Church (medieval, originally St David's Church)
- Parish of Rowlestone and Llancillo (population 110)
- St Peter's Church, Rowlestone (medieval)
- St Peter's or St Tysilio's Church, Llancillo (medieval, redundant 2006)
- Parish of St Devereux (population 93): St Dubricius' Church (medieval)
- Parish of Walterstone (population 97): St Mary's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Wormbridge (population 131): St Peter's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Abbeydore (population 283)
- Benefice of Wyedore
- Parish of Madley with Tyberton (population 1,327)
- Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Madley (medieval)
- St Mary's Church, Tyberton (medieval, rebuilt 1721)
- Parish of Peterchurch (population 1,037): St Peter's Church (medieval)
- Parish of Vowchurch and Turnastone (population 206)
- St Bartholomew's Church, Vowchurch (medieval)
- St Mary Magdalene's Church, Turnastone (medieval)
- Parish of Madley with Tyberton (population 1,327)
Deanery of Bromyard
- Benefice of Bredenbury
- Parish of Bredenbury with Grendon Bishop and Wacton
- St Andrew's New Church, Bredenbury (1877)
- St Andrew's Old Church, Bredenbury (medieval, abandoned 1877)
- St John the Baptist's Church, Grendon Bishop (medieval)
- St Andrew's Church, Wacton (medieval, abandoned 1881)
- Parish of Collington: St Mary's Church (medieval, rebuilt 1856)
- Parish of Edwyn Ralph: St Michael & All Angels' Church (medieval)
- Parish of Little Cowarne
- Parish of Pencombe with Marston Stannett
- Parish of Thornbury
- Parish of Ullingswick
- Parish of Bredenbury with Grendon Bishop and Wacton
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (St Andrew) |
|
|
1,526 | [6] | |
| Bromyard (St Peter) and Stoke Lacy |
|
|
5,268 | [7] | |
| Edvin Loach (St Mary) with Tedstone Delamere, Tedstone Wafer, Upper Sapey, Wolferlow and Whitbourne |
|
|
1,412 | [8] | |
| Frome Valley Group of Parishes, The, Comprising Acton Beauchamp, Bishops Frome, Castle Frome and Fromes Hill, Evesbatch, Much Cowarne, Ocle Pychard, and Stanford Bishop |
|
|
2,259 | [9] |
Deanery of Hereford
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartestree Cross Group |
|
|
4,051 | [10] | |
| Pipe-Cum-Lyde (St Peter) and Moreton-On-Lugg |
|
[11] | |||
| Stretton Sugwas (St Mary Magdalene) | [12] | ||||
| Credenhill (St Mary) Brinsop and Wormsley, Mansel Lacy and Yazor, Kenchester, Bridge Sollers and Bishopstone |
|
|
2,978 | [13] | |
| Fownhope Group |
|
|
2,296 | [14] | |
| Hereford (St Peter with St Owen) (St James) |
|
|
5,796 | [15] | |
| Hereford South Wye (St Francis) (St Martin) |
|
|
22,894 | [16] | |
| Wye, South Rural Parishes, Including Ballingham, Dinedor, Holme Lacy, and Little Dewchurch |
|
|
1,449 | [17] | |
|
|||||
| Hereford, West Team Ministry (All Saints) (Holy Trinity) (St Michael) (St Nicholas) |
|
|
13,710 | [18] | |
| Tupsley (St Paul) with Hampton Bishop |
|
|
11,308 | [19] | |
| Holmer (St Bartholomew) (St Mary) with Huntington |
|
|
8,321 | [20] | |
Deanery of Kington and Weobley
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eardisley (St Mary Magdalene) with Bollingham, Willersley, Brilley, Michaelchurch, Whitney, Winforton, Almeley and Kinnersley |
|
|
2,221 | [21] | |
|
|||||
| Kington (St Mary) with Huntington, Old Radnor, Kinnerton and Titley |
|
|
4,004 | [22] | |
| Letton (St John the Baptist) with Staunton, Byford, Mansel Gamage and Monnington |
|
|
2,245 | [23] | |
| Weobley (St Peter and St Paul) with Sarnesfield and Norton Canon |
|
[24] | |||
| Arrowvale Group |
|
|
2,868 | [25] | |
| Presteigne (St Andrew) with Discoed, Kinsham, Lingen and Knill |
|
|
2,804 | [26] |
Closed churches in the area
| Church | Location | Founded (building) | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Michael, Michaelchurch-on-Arrow[27] | Brilley | Medieval
Not a closed church; continues fully operational 26/07/2020 and operates in conjunction with Brilley. RDJ - Diocese of Hereford 26.07.20 |
|
| Ednol Church[28] | Kinnerton | Medieval? | C19th Not associated with Kinnersley parish. Part of the Parish of Old Radnor. RDJ - Diocese of Hereford 26.07.20 |
Deanery of Ledbury
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colwall (St Crispin's Chapel) (St James the Great) with Upper Colwall (Good Shepherd) and Coddington |
|
|
2,455 | [29] | |
| Cradley (St James) with Mathon and Storridge |
|
|
2,031 | [30] | |
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Cider Churches Benefice, The, Comprising Aylton, Little Marcle, Much Marcle with Yatton, Pixley, Putley, and Wellington Heath |
|
|
1,789 | [31] | |
| Hop Churches Benefice, The, Comprising Bosbury, Canon Frome, Munsley, Stoke Edith, Stretton Grandison with Ashperton, Tarrington, and Yarkhill |
|
|
2,083 | [32] | |
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Ledbury (St Michael and All Angels) with Eastnor |
|
|
9,526 | [33] | |
|
Deanery of Leominster
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington and the Pyons Group |
|
|
2,023 | [34] | |
| Mortimer's Cross Group |
|
|
1,946 | [35] | |
| Leominster Team Ministry |
|
16,427 | [36] | ||
|
Eastern Parishes
Western Parishes
|
|||||
| Burghill (St Mary the Virgin) |
|
|
3,234 | [37] | |
| Wigmore Abbey, Comprising Adforton, Aston, Brampton Bryan, Burrington, Downton, Elton, Leinthall Starkes, Leintwardine, and Wigmore |
|
|
2,412 | [38] | |
| Maund Group, Comprising Bodenham, Felton and Preston Wynne, Marden with Amberley and Wisteston, and Sutton St Nicholas and Sutton St Michael |
|
|
3,735 | [39] |
Deanery of Ross and Archenfield
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariconium: Aston Ingham, Hope Mansel, Linton, the Lea, Upton Bishop and Weston-Under-Penyard |
|
|
3,431 | [40] | |
| Wye Brooks Benefice, The, Comprising Goodrich, Llangarron, Llangrove, Marstow, Welsh Bicknor, and Welsh Newton with Llanrothal |
|
|
2,453 | [41] | |
|
|||||
| Ross (St Mary the Virgin) with Walford and Brampton Abbotts |
|
|
12,066 | [42] | |
| St Weonards (St Weonard) |
|
|
2,001 | [43] | |
| Stowcaple |
|
|
2,330 | [44] | |
|
|||||
| Wormelow Hundred, Comprising Dewsall with Callow, Little Birch, Llandinabo, Llanwarne, Much Birch, and Much Dewchurch |
|
|
2,378 | [45] | |
| Wye Reaches Group, The, Comprising Bishopswood, Dixton Newton, Ganarew, and Whitchurch |
|
|
3,696 | [46] |
Deanery of Bridgnorth
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alveley (St Mary the Virgin) and Quatt |
|
|
2,242 | [47] | |
| Bridgnorth (St Mary Magdalene) (St Leonard) (St James) and Morville Parishes Team Ministry, Including Acton Round, Astley Abbotts, Aston Eyre, Monkhopton with Upton Cressett, Morville, Oldbury, Quatford, and Tasley |
|
|
14,827 | [48] | |
| Claverley (All Saints) with Tuckhill |
|
|
1,838 | [49] | |
| Ditton Priors (St John the Baptist) with Neenton, Burwarton, Cleobury North, Aston Botterell, Wheathill and Loughton and Chetton |
|
|
1,820 | [50] | |
| Highley (St Mary) with Billingsley, Glazeley and Deuxhill and Chelmarsh |
|
|
4,424 | [51] | |
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Stottesdon (St Mary) with Farlow, Cleeton St Mary, Silvington, Sidbury and Middleton Scriven |
|
|
1,564 | [52] | |
| Worfield (St Peter) |
|
|
2,136 | [53] |
Deanery of Clun Forest
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop's Castle (St John the Baptist) with Mainstone, Lydbury North and Edgton |
|
|
4,827 | [54] | |
| Churchstoke (St Nicholas) with Hyssington and Sarn | [55] | ||||
|
|||||
| Clun Valley Benefice, The, Comprising Bettwys-Y-Crwyn, Clun, Clunbury with Clunton, Hopesay, and Newcastle |
|
|
2,676 | [56] | |
| Middle Marches Benefice, The, Comprising Bedstone, Bucknell, Chapel Lawn, Clungunford, Hopton Castle, Llanfair Waterdine, and Stowe |
|
Archived 27 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine |
|
1,870 | [57] |
| Wentnor (St Michael and All Angels) with Ratlinghope, Myndtown, Norbury, More, Lydham and Snead |
|
|
1,010 | [58] | |
|
Deanery of Condover
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apedale Group, The, Comprising Cardington, Eaton Under Heywood, Hope Bowdler, and Rushbury |
|
|
1,617 | [59] | |
| Church Stretton (St Laurence) |
|
|
4,833 | [60] | |
| Condover (St Andrew and St Mary) with Frodesley, Acton Burnell and Pitchford |
|
|
2,222 | [61] | |
| Craven Arms |
|
| |||
| Dorrington (St Edward) with Leebotwood, Longnor, Stapleton, Smethcote and Woolstaston |
|
|
1,616 | [62] | |
| Wenlock, Comprising Berrington with Betton Strange, Church Preen, Cound, Cressage, Easthope, Harley, Hughley, Kenley, Much Wenlock with Bourton, Sheinton, Shipton, and Stanton Long |
|
|
6,151 | [63] |
Deanery of Ludlow
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashfords, The, Including Ashford Bowdler, Ashford Carbonel, Caynham, Knowbury, Ludford, and Richards Castle |
|
|
2,086 | [64] | |
| Bromfield (St Mary the Virgin), Including Bitterley with Middleton, Bromfield, Clee St Margaret and Cold Weston, Onibury, Stanton Lacy, and Stoke St Milborough with the Heath and Hopton Cangeford |
|
|
2,201 | [65] | |
|
|||||
| Cleobury Mortimer (St Mary the Virgin) with Hopton Wafers, Neen Sollars and Milson, Neen Savage with Kinlet and Doddington |
|
|
4,850 | [66] | |
| Corvedale Benefice, The, Comprising Culmington, Diddlebury, Holdgate, Munslow, and Tugford |
|
|
1,606 | [67] | |
| Ludlow (St John) (St Laurence) |
|
|
10,511 | [68] | |
| Tenbury Team Ministry, the (St Mary) (St Michael and All Angels), Including Burford, Clee Hill, Coreley, Greete, Hope Bagot, Little Hereford, and Whitton |
|
|
6,984 | [69] |
Deanery of Pontesbury
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chirbury (St Michael), Marton, Middleton and Trelystan with Leighton |
|
|
1,307 | [70] | |
| Ford (St Michael), Gt Wollaston and Alberbury with Cardeston |
|
|
3,079 | [71] | |
| Hanwood, Great (St Thomas) and Longden and Annscroft with Pulverbatch |
|
|
2,633 | [72] | |
|
|||||
| Minsterley (Holy Trinity), Habberley and Hope with Shelve |
|
|
2,846 | [73] | |
| Pontesbury First and Second Portions (St George) |
|
|
2,816 | [74] | |
| Westbury (St Mary), Worthen and Yockleton |
|
|
2,410 | [75] | |
|
Deanery of Telford Severn Gorge
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broseley (All Saints) with Benthall, Jackfield, Linley, Willey and Barrow |
|
|
5,715 | [76] | |
| Coalbrookdale (Holy Trinity), Iron-Bridge and Little Wenlock |
|
|
3,725 | [77] | |
| Madeley (St Michael) |
|
|
16,512 | [78] |
Dedications
Medieval churches
- All Saints: Clehonger
- St Andrew: Allensmore, Bredwardine
- St Bartholomew: Thruxton, Vowchurch
- St Beuno: Llanveynoe
- St Clydog: Clodock
- St David: Kilpeck
- St Dubricius: St Devereux
- St Faith: Bacton, Dorstone
- St James: Llangua (red.)
- St Kew: Llangua
- St Lawrence: Preston-on-Wye
- St Leonard: Blakemere
- St Margaret: St Margaret's
- St Mary: Clifford, Craswall, Cusop, Kentchurch, Tyberton, Walterstone
- SS Mary & Ethelbert: Hereford Cathedral
- St Mary Magdalene: Brobury, Turnastone
- St Michael: Dulas, Eaton Bishop, Ewyas Harold, Kingstone, Michaelchurch Escley, Moccas
- Nativity of Mary: Madley
- St Peter: Longtown, Peterchurch, Rowlestone, Wormbridge
- St Tysilio: Llancillo
Post-medieval churches
- St John the Baptist: Newton (1842)
- St Mary: Abbeydore (1634)
- Holy Trinity: Hardwicke (1851)
- No dedication: Cockyard (1920s)
Benefices by population
| Benefice | Population | Churches | Clergy (Nov 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cagebrook | 4,108 | 5 | 1 Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM |
| Wyedore | 2,570 | 5 | 1 Rector |
| Ewyas Harold | 2,275 | 10 | Vacant |
| Borderlink | 1,939 | 8 | Vacant |
| Black Mountains | 1,337 | 6 | 1 Priest-in-Charge (also Curate in Ewyas Harold), 1 NSM |
Deaneries by population
| Deanery | Population | Churches | Clergy (Nov 2025) | Pop. per stip. cl. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeydore | 12,229 | 34 | 1 Rector, 2 Priests-in-Charge, 2 NSMs | 4,076 |