Ken Riley (priest)
British priest (1940–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenneth Joseph Riley, OBE (25 June 1940 – 19 October 2025) was an English Anglican clergyman who was the Dean of Manchester from 1993 to 2005.[1]
Ken Riley | |
|---|---|
| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | Dean of Manchester |
| In office | 1993–2005 |
| Predecessor | Robert Waddington |
| Successor | Rogers Govender |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1964 (deacon) 1965 (priest) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Joseph Riley 25 June 1940 |
| Died | 19 October 2025 (aged 85) |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
Early life and education
Riley was born on 25 June 1940 in Flint, Flintshire, Wales.[2] He was educated at Holywell Grammar School in Holywell, Flintshire. [3] He studied music at Aberystwyth University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1961.[2][3] He then matriculated in to Wycliffe Hall, Oxford to train for ordination.[4] He also studied theology at Linacre College, Oxford, graduating with a further BA in 1964.[3]
Ordained ministry
Riley was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1964 and as a priest in 1964.[5] He began his ministry as a curate at Emmanuel Church, Fazakerley.[6] After this he was chaplain at Brasted Place College,[7] then Oundle School and finally Liverpool University. From 1987 to 1993 he was precentor at Liverpool Cathedral when he was elevated to the deanery in Dean of Manchester.[8] In the 2003 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) "for services to the community in Manchester".[9] He retired in 2005, and made Dean Emeritus.[3]
