Cathedral Governance

The Cathedral’s governing statute

 The Constitution and Statutes were confirmed by an Order in Council dated 12 July 1968 under the Cathedrals Measure 1963.  They were amended by Schemes confirmed by Orders in Council dated 21 December 1977 and 19 December 1984 under the Cathedrals Measure 1976.  A new Constitution and Statutes were drawn up by a Transitional Council established in accordance with the Cathedrals Measure 1999 and came into effect on 6 February 2000.  The Constitution and Statutes were further amended by the Cathedral Council at its meetings on 9 March 2005, 3 December 2008 and 2 December 2009.

 The Cathedral’s role in the Diocese 

 The Diocese of Chelmsford was founded by Order in Council on 23 January 1914.  It consists of the County of Essex and five London Boroughs north of the Thames.  The Diocesan Bishop is the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell.  There are three Area Bishops of Barking, Bradwell and Colchester and four Archdeacons of Colchester, Harlow, Southend and West Ham.

 The Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese.  It is the seat of the Bishop and a centre of worship and mission.  The Cathedral is used for major Diocesan services such as ordinations and installations and by the Diocesan Synod.  It is also a venue for civic events, concerts, graduation ceremonies and lectures.

 The Cathedral is a parish church as well as a Cathedral.  We seek to develop our town centre ministry and to continue to connect across the Diocese and further afield with our link Dioceses in Kenya, Romania, Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago and our mission partners in Swaziland.

We have entered into a covenant with the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Brentwood, and also have a covenant with Trinity Methodist Church and the Church of the Ascension.  We continue to enjoy warm relations with the Orthodox Community at Tollesbury.

Organisational structure and The Chapter

Chelmsford Cathedral is an ecclesiastical corporation.  The corporate body comprises the Cathedral Chapter, the Cathedral Council and the College of Canons.

The Cathedral Chapter is the body that directs and oversees the administration and affairs of the Cathedral.  It meets on at least nine occasions each year.  Its members are the Dean and Residentiary Canons, the Administrator, the Chapter Treasurer, a member of the Diocesan clergy and two other lay people.

The Chapter Members at Nov 2012:

The Very Revd PSM Judd, Dean

Canon Dr SAJ Atkin 

Mr Brian Greatrex MBE

The Revd Canon C Bishop

The Revd Canon EJ Carter, Canon Theologian 

The Revd Canon IR Moody, Vice Dean and Canon Pastor

The Revd Canon SJ Pothen, Canon Precentor

Mrs AC Robinson, Chapter Treasurer

Mr PG Tarris, Administrator and Chapter Clerk 

The Cathedral Council consists of the Dean, three other members of Chapter, two members of the College of Canons and a further 15 people representing diverse constituencies of the Cathedral community and Diocese.  The Chairman is Mr Michael Hindmarch DL.  The Council meets at least twice and usually three times a year.  Its duty is to further and support the work of the Cathedral and to give advice to the Chapter.

The College of Canons consists of the Dean, the Area Bishops, the Archdeacons and the Residentiary, Non-Residentiary and Ecumenical Canons.  There are 30 clerical and six lay Non-Residentiary Canons and five Ecumenical Canons.  The College meets at least annually to discuss matters concerning the Cathedral.  When required, it elects a new Diocesan Bishop.

The Bishop of Chelmsford has his seat in the Cathedral and may officiate in the Cathedral and use it for Diocesan occasions, eg ordinations and synods.  He is the Visitor and in this role ensures the observance of the Constitution and Statutes.  He is assisted in his Diocesan work by the three Area Bishops of Barking, Bradwell and Colchester.

Two Honorary Associate Chaplains are licensed to the Cathedral: the Revd KL Hacker Hughes, Chaplain to Farleigh Hospice and the Revd Canon RDA More, Director of Ordinands.

The Finance Committee reports to Chapter.  Its members are the Dean, a Residentiary Canon, the Chapter Treasurer, the Administrator and four other lay people with financial expertise.  Its function is to advise the Chapter in respect to financial and investment management and the management of property belonging to the Cathedral.  It prepares and monitors budgets and income and expenditure forecasts.

The Choral Foundation is responsible for paying bursaries to the Cathedral’s choristers, choral scholars, lay clerks, members of the Cathedral Consort (female choral scholars) and the organ scholar.  It is managed by a committee comprising the Dean, the Canon Precentor, the Director of Music and three other lay people.

A number of other Committees report to Chapter including Africa Group, Congregational Council, Education, Management Team, St Peter-ad-Murum, Works and Worship.  The Dean is an ex officio member of all committees.  The duties of the committees are to manage the budgets delegated to them by Chapter and to give advice in the areas of their remit.  The Lunchtime Concerts and Social and Fundraising events are organised by congregational groups to raise funds for Cathedral use.  The Fairtrade and Eco-congregation Steering Group promotes awareness of trade justice and green issues and encourages action by the congregation.

The Cathedral Appeal is a registered charity, which is managed by trustees appointed by the Chapter.  Its purpose is to raise funds for the restoration of the fabric and furnishings of the Cathedral and for the development of the work of the Cathedral.  The trustees meet at least once a year.

The Fabric Advisory Committee is a statutory body, which reports to the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.  It has six members, three each appointed by Chapter and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission, and two consultants, the Surveyor to the Fabric and the Cathedral Archaeologist.  No work may be carried out on the Cathedral that would materially affect its architectural, archaeological, artistic or historic character, nor may any object of architectural, archaeological or artistic interest be sold, lent or disposed of without the approval of either the Commission or the Fabric Advisory Committee.

 Six Cathedral Wardens assist at services and special events.  The three Churchwardens are ex officio Cathedral Wardens.  They are chosen in accordance with the Churchwardens Measure 2001.  The remaining three Cathedral Wardens are elected annually at the Cathedral Annual Meeting in a similar manner to Churchwardens.  All Wardens may serve for a maximum of six consecutive one-year terms.

The Audit and Risk Committee reports to the Cathedral Council.  It has four members, two are members of the Council and two are external to the Cathedral organisation.  Its role is to provide oversight and assist the Council in undertaking the duties which are required of it by the Cathedral Constitution.