John Clarke (Dean of Wells)
Encyclopedia
The Very Rev. John Martin Clarke is the current Dean of Wells
. He was born on 20 February 1952 and attended West Buckland School
, Hertford College, Oxford
and Edinburgh University. After a period of study at Edinburgh Theological College
he was ordained in 1977. His career began with a curacy
at The Ascension, Kenton, Newcastle
, after which he was Precentor
of St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth
, then the Information Officer and Communications Advisor to the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church
. From 1989 to 1996 he was Vicar
of St Mary, Battersea
, then Principal
of Ripon College Cuddesdon
and finally (before his elevation to the Deanery
) a Residentiary Canon
at Lincoln Cathedral
. A keen walker, Dean Clarke is married with three children.
As part of his duties as Dean of Wells Cathedral he is also Chairman of the Governors at Wells Cathedral School
.
Dean of Wells
The Dean of Wells is the head of the Chapter of Wells Cathedral in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. The current Dean is the Very Revd John Clarke, who lives in The Dean's Lodging, 25 The Liberty, Wells.-List of the Deans of Wells:*1140–1164 Ivo...
. He was born on 20 February 1952 and attended West Buckland School
West Buckland School
West Buckland School is an English public school located on the outskirts of the village of West Buckland on the edge of Exmoor, 9 miles east of Barnstaple, Devon. It comprises a senior school , preparatory school and a nursery...
, Hertford College, Oxford
Hertford College, Oxford
Hertford College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is located in Catte Street, directly opposite the main entrance of the original Bodleian Library. As of 2006, the college had a financial endowment of £52m. There are 612 students , plus various visiting...
and Edinburgh University. After a period of study at Edinburgh Theological College
Edinburgh Theological College
Edinburgh Theological College was founded in 1810 to train Anglican clergy to serve in the Scottish Episcopal Church . In 1891 the College moved to Coates Hall in Grosvenor Crescent where it gradually expanded to include residential accommodation and a library . The College’s academic gown was ...
he was ordained in 1977. His career began with a curacy
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at The Ascension, Kenton, Newcastle
Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne
Kenton is a suburb and electoral ward in the north west of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It borders the Town Moor and Gosforth. Kenton also has close road links to Newcastle Airport....
, after which he was Precentor
Precentor
A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" ....
of St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth
St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth
St Ninian's Cathedral or the Cathedral Church of St Ninian is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the Royal burgh of Perth. It is the see of the Anglican Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, who is the ordinary of the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane.-History:The...
, then the Information Officer and Communications Advisor to the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
. From 1989 to 1996 he was Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of St Mary, Battersea
Battersea
Battersea is an area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, England. It is an inner-city district of South London, situated on the south side of the River Thames, 2.9 miles south-west of Charing Cross. Battersea spans from Fairfield in the west to Queenstown in the east...
, then Principal
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of Ripon College Cuddesdon
Ripon College Cuddesdon
Ripon College Cuddesdon is a Church of England theological college in Cuddesdon, a village outside Oxford, England.-History:Ripon College Cuddesdon was formed from an amalgamation in 1975 of Cuddesdon College and Ripon Hall...
and finally (before his elevation to the Deanery
Deanery
A Deanery is an ecclesiastical entity in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. A deanery is either the jurisdiction or residence of a Dean.- Catholic usage :...
) a Residentiary Canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt...
. A keen walker, Dean Clarke is married with three children.
As part of his duties as Dean of Wells Cathedral he is also Chairman of the Governors at Wells Cathedral School
Wells Cathedral School
Wells Cathedral School is a co-educational independent school located in Wells, Somerset, England. The school is one of the five established musical schools for school-age children in the United Kingdom, along with Chetham's School of Music, the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Purcell School and St....
.