The Rev’d Sebastian Harries has been appointed as Canon Precentor at Chelmsford Cathedral, a role in which he will be responsible for the liturgical life of the Cathedral, including worship, events and the Cathedral music department.
Sebastian has served as part time Interim Cathedral Precentor since April this year and before that he was School Chaplain to St Gabriel's College Camberwell and an Assistant Priest at St John the Divine with St James the Apostle, Kennington in the Diocese of Southwark. Ordained in 2016, he served his curacy in Lingfield and Dormansland in Southwark Diocese. Before becoming Interim Cathedral Precentor, Sebastian held PTO in the Diocese of Chelmsford where he lives with his wife the Rev’d Oliva Maxfield-Coote who is Team Vicar in the Epping Team Ministry.
Commenting on his appointment, Sebastian said:
“I'm delighted to be staying on in Chelmsford and serving the people of East London and Essex. The Cathedral is a crucial place in the life of the Diocese and wider community: Liturgy and music are a powerful form of prayer that can bring people together and enable God's transformation and healing in these challenging times in which we live.”
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev’d Dr Guli Francis Dehqani said:
“Sebastian will bring considerable gifts to the role of Canon Precentor at Chelmsford Cathedral as he has done since he joined the Cathedral team as Interim Cathedral Precentor earlier this year. He will play an important role in shaping the life of our Cathedral during a time of significant change following the Visitation earlier this year and as the Cathedral adapts to the 2021 Cathedral's Measure. I'm very much forward to working with him on the journey ahead."
The interim Dean of Chelmsford, the Very Rev’d Paul Kennington welcomed Sebastian’s appointment saying:
“It has been a pleasure working alongside Sebastian these past few months and I am delighted he will take up the role of Canon Precentor here at Chelmsford Cathedral. His deep ecumenically formed spirituality is evident and he has a flair for producing imaginative liturgical services. Sebastian’s wealth of musical knowledge and expertise will also be key to the continuing development and growth of our Music Department. We look forward to welcoming Sebastian and his family to Chelmsford.”
Details of Sebastian’s licensing and installation as Canon Precentor and start date will be published in due course.