Nicholas Henshall
British Anglican priest and author (born 1962)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nicholas James Henshall (born 6 April 1962) is a British Anglican priest and author, who served as Dean of Chelmsford from 2014 until 2023.
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Nicholas Henshall | |
|---|---|
| Dean of Chelmsford | |
Henshall in 2018 | |
| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | Diocese of Chelmsford |
| In office | 2014 to 2023 |
| Other post | Vicar of New Groombridge (2023–present) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1988 (deacon) 1989 (priest) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nicholas James Henshall 6 April 1962 |
| Nationality | British |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
Early life and education
Henshall was born on 6 April 1962 in Mossley, England. He is the son of Michael Henshall, long-serving Bishop of Warrington.[1] He was educated at Manchester Grammar School; it was an all-boys direct grant grammar school when he joined, later becoming an independent school.[1] He spent a gap year at the British School at Athens, before studying Literae Humaniores (classics) at Wadham College, Oxford.[2][3] He graduated from the University of Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree; as per tradition 1984, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon) degree in 1988.[4] From 1985 to 1988, he studied theology and trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon.[1]
Ordained ministry
Henshall was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1988 and as a priest in 1989.[5] After a curacy at, St Mary, Blyth he was Vicar of St Margaret, Scotswood from 1992 to 2002; both parishes are in the Diocese of Newcastle.[4] He then became canon precentor of Derby Cathedral, serving in the role for six years.[1] He returned to parish ministry and was vicar of Christ Church, Harrogate in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds from 2008 to 2014.[4] He also served as acting Archdeacon of Richmond from 2013 to 2014.[6]
In November 2013, Henshall was announced as the next Dean of Chelmsford, head (primus inter pares – first among equals) of the chapter of Chelmsford Cathedral in the Diocese of Chelmsford.[7] He was installed as dean at Chelmsford Cathedral during a service on 2 February 2014.[7][8] In November 2022, he announced his intention to step down as dean the following year.[9][10]
Henshall resigned the Deanery in February 2023 to return to parish ministry.[9] On 23 February 2023, he was licensed as vicar of New Groombridge in the Diocese of Chichester.[4][11]
Personal life
In 1991, Henshall married Christine. Together they have three children: two daughters and one son.[1]
Publications
- Chapter on marriage and priesthood in Priests in a People’s Church ed George Guiver (SPCK 2001)
- 2008 – 2018: a series of 35 articles on pastoral and practical theology in The Tablet
- Focusses of Prophecy? Chapter in the book Holy Ground, ed Stephen Platten (2017 Sacristy Press)
- Contributing editor of the second edition of “Dear Nicholas” by Michael Henshall (2019 Sacristy Press)
