Diocese of Portsmouth
The Church of England
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth Harbour

In this section

Deaneries

Our diocese consists of three Archdeaconries and seven deaneries.

For a map showing the parishes in each deanery, click on the links below:

Archdeaconry of the Meon:
  • Bishop’s Waltham Deanery
    Area Dean: Rev James Hunt
    P: The Rectory, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1PW
    T: 01489 892618 | E: email
  • Fareham Deanery
    Area Dean: Rev Richard England
    P: Holy Rood Church, Gosport Road, Stubbington, PO14 2AS
    T: 01329 661154 | E: email
    Richard’s day off is Friday
  • Gosport Deanery
    Area Dean: Rev Paul Chamberlain
    P:     St Faith’s Church, Victoria Square, Lee-on-the-Solent, PO13 9NF
    T: 023 9200 6184 | E: email
  • Petersfield Deanery
    Area Dean: Rev Susie Collingridge
    P: The Vicarage, 77 Church Road, Steep, Petersfield, GU32 2DF
    T: 01730 624245 | E: email
    Susie’s days off are Monday and Friday
Archdeaconry of Portsdown:
Archdeaconry of the Isle of Wight:
  • Isle of Wight Deanery
    Area Dean: Rev Chris Bradish
    P: 69 Victoria Grove, East Cowes, PO32 6DL
    T: 07985 427930 | E: email
    Chris’s day off is Friday.
  • Assistant Area Dean: Rev Vickie Morgan
    Pastoral Care Stipendiary Clergy
    P: St John’s Vicarage, Victoria Crescent, Ryde, PO33 1DQ
    T: 07429187233 | E: email
    Vickie’s day off is Saturday.
  • Assistant Area Dean: Rev James Cook
    Pastoral Care PtO and SSM
    Retired Clergy Officer IOW
    P: St Blasius Rectory, Rectory Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. PO37 6NX
    T: 01983 867887 (landline) and 07919 125647 (mobile) | E: email
    James’ day off is Tuesday
  • Assistant Area Dean: Rev Tom Burden
    Structures (Synod) and Strategy
    P: The Vicarage, Maples Drive, Ventnor, PO38 1NR
    T: 07833 596124 | E: email
    Tom’s day off is Friday.

How do deaneries work

A deanery is a grouping of parishes in a relatively small geographical area. Clergy who hold the bishop's licence meet together in a deanery chapter, which allows them to support and pray for each other. 

Clergy and elected lay people meet together in a deanery synod, which can consider topical issues, pass motions to be considered by the Diocesan Synod, and hear from external speakers. It is the place where the voice of the parish is first heard beyond the local PCC, and a way of parishes discussing common issues.

Parishes will normally elect lay representatives to their local deanery synods - the precise number depends on the size of their electoral roll. All the clergy in that deanery are automatically members of deanery synod. A clergy person, called the Area Dean, and a lay person, called the Lay Chair, will preside.

To read job descriptions for area deans and lay chairs, click here: