Stephen Waine
British Anglican priest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stephen John Waine (born 23 May 1959) is a British Anglican priest who has served as the 72nd Dean of Exeter since 1 August 2026. He was the Dean of Chichester from February 2015 to April 2023.[1]
Archdeacon of Dorset (2010–2015)
Vicar of the Piddle Valley, Hilton, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey (2023–2026)
Stephen Waine | |
|---|---|
| Dean of Exeter | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Exeter |
| In office | 1 August 2026 — Incumbent |
| Predecessor | Jonathan Greener |
| Other posts | Dean of Chichester (2015–2023) Archdeacon of Dorset (2010–2015) Vicar of the Piddle Valley, Hilton, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey (2023–2026) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1984 (deacon) by John Waine (deacon) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Stephen John Waine 23 May 1959 |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Parents | John Waine |
| Alma mater | University of East Anglia |
Early life
Waine was born on 23 May 1959, son of John Waine, later Bishop of Stafford, of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and of Chelmsford.[2] He studied economic and social studies at the University of East Anglia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1980. He then trained for the priesthood at Westcott House, Cambridge.[3]
Ordained ministry
Waine was made a deacon at Petertide 1984 (1 July) by his father, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, at St Edmundsbury Cathedral (by letters dimissory from the vacant See of Lichfield).[4] He was ordained a Church of England priest the next year, 1985.[5] He then served his curacy at St Peter's Church, Wolverhampton.[6] He was Succentor at St Paul's Cathedral from 1988 to 1993. After this, he was Vicar of St Edward the Confessor Church, Romford. In 2010, he was appointed Archdeacon of Dorset.[7]
In November 2014 it was announced that he would succeed Nicholas Frayling as Dean of Chichester. He took up the post in February 2015:[7] he was instituted on 14 February.[8] He left the Deanery when he was inducted as Vicar of the Piddle Valley, Hilton, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey in the Diocese of Salisbury[9] on 1 April 2023.[10]
In March 2026, following the announcement of Jonathan Greener’s retirement as Dean of Exeter, Stephen Waine was appointed Interim Dean by the Diocesan Bishop and formally assumed the role on 1 August 2026.[11]
