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Keep Chester
Cathedral Running
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The Dean:
The Very Revd
Professor Gordon McPhate |
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Gordon McPhate qualified in Medicine at Aberdeen, took a Master’s degree in Clinical Biochemistry at Surrey, and a research Doctorate in Physiology at Cambridge on the regulation of gluconeogenesis in human metabolism. He trained as a pathologist, and held academic posts in Physiology at the University of London, and Pathology at the University of St.Andrews, becoming consultant chemical pathologist to the Fife Hospitals, and directing research in diabetic nephropathy. He is in both the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Pathologists, and is also an Adjudicator for the General Medical Council.
Gordon trained as a priest in Cambridge, and holds degrees in Theology from both Cambridge and Edinburgh, specialising in the theology of Karl Barth and Medical Ethics. He was ordained and served his curacy in Southwark Diocese, where he later became Minor Canon of the Cathedral. Since his appointment as Dean of Chester, he has become Professor of Theology and Medicine at the University of Chester where he teaches postgraduate courses in Science and Religion, and Bioethics. He is a member of the Society of Ordained Scientists.
Gordon has an adopted son, three grandsons, and a granddaughter. |
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Vice Dean & Canon Residentiary (Chancellor):
The Revd Canon Dr Trevor Dennis
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| Trevor Dennis is Vice Dean and works closely with the Dean in the exercising of his responsibilities. He is also Canon Chancellor, with an overall responsibility for the education work of the Cathedral, including that undertaken by the Cathedral's Education Officer. As Canon Librarian, he has the duty, with the Cathedral Librarian and his team, of ensuring the proper care of the Cathedral Library . He joined the staff at the start of 1994. Trevor was ordained in 1972 and served a two-year curacy in the Oxford Diocese. He was educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and St John's College, Cambridge, where he read Classics and then Theology, before going on to write a PhD thesis on the fourth century theologian Gregory of Nyssa. Following a period as a chaplain at Eton College, he taught biblical studies at Salisbury and Wells Theological College for nearly twelve years. He has published six books on biblical studies, a children's Bible and five collections of stories and verse meditations. He is a Patron of Changing Attitude and is married to Caroline, with four children and two grandchildren. |
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Canon Precentor:
The Revd Canon Christopher Humphries |
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Chris Humphries came to Chester Cathedral in 2005 after a long ministry as Vicar of Filey on the Yorkshire coast. As Precentor and Sacrist he has responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the whole offering of worship within the cathedral. This involves regular meetings with musicians, clergy, vergers, staff and volunteers. Chris is a hymnwriter and particularly enjoys the challenge of choosing some sixty hymns a month, all related to the themes and readings for each service. He is keen to introduce the best of new material being produced as well as drawing upon the rich heritage from the past.
Chris’ love of music and singing began during his time as a chorister at Waltham Abbey in Essex, and later as a choral scholar at St. John’s college, Cambridge under George Guest. He trained for the ordained ministry at St. John’s college, Nottingham, and after a curacy in Bradford, was a chaplain at Scargill House in the Yorkshire Dales. He is married to Barbara, and they have two daughters and a son. Chris is a keen cricketer and plays in the Diocesan clergy team. He enjoys keeping fit and ran the Chester half marathon with the Cathedral team in May 2008. |
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Residentiary Canon:
The Revd Canon Christopher Burkett |
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| Christopher Burkett is Chaplain to the Bishop of Chester. Originally from the Cotswolds, all of his ordained ministry has been served in the Dioceses of Lichfield and Chester. His first training was as a sociologist and he was one of the earliest UK practitioners of the sociological study of Christian congregations with research and workbooks published in the early 1990s. He continues to teach and research in the field. The idea of collective memory and how people relate to and maintain a lively Christian faith tradition is a current focus of his research. He describes his cathedral work in terms of that research as “a rich experience of being part of a deep and satisfying stream; a real example of the immense vitality of a lived memory even in a cynical consumerist age.” His passion for prayer that addresses political and social issues was developed during his twelve years writing the international prayer quarterly Encounter and continues to features in his daily activity. His publications include articles, distance learning courses, chapters in books, stories, prayers and sermons. He is part of the national training team of the College of Preachers, and a member of the British Sociological Association. Christopher is married to Christine, and they have three daughters. |
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Residentiary Canon:
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