Chelmsford Cathedral Chelmsford Cathedral

Meet the team

The Very Rev’d Dr Jessica Martin

The Dean of Chelmsford

Jessica Martin grew up in the Surrey commuter town of Woking.  She studied literature at university, which she later taught at Trinity College in Cambridge.  Following her ordination in 2004 she served as a priest alongside her life as a lecturer, until 2010 when she became the vicar of three country parishes in South Cambridgeshire. Her southern most church was just two hundred yards away from the Essex border.  Gradually taking on other responsibilities, Jessica served on the Bishop of Ely’s senior staff and contributed to the Church of England’s ongoing reflections on sexuality.  In 2016 she became a Canon of Ely Cathedral, with special responsibility for learning. During 2024 she was one of the two theological advisers to the bishops of the Church of England.  She became Dean of Chelmsford in January 2025.

She has written two religious books (as well as some academic ones): Holiness and Desire, which is about sacred and profane loves and how they fit together and which was longlisted for the Michael Ramsey Prize, and The Eucharist in Four Dimensions, about the way that Holy Communion uses place and space and time.  

She plays the oboe and the piano, and is married to the writer Francis Spufford. She has two daughters, Stella and Theodora.  

Ministry team

Rev’d Canon Kate Moore
Canon for Education and Safeguarding

View bio and contact details

Rev’d Canon Kate Moore

Canon for Education and Safeguarding

Chapter

The Chapter of Chelmsford Cathedral is responsible for all aspects of the strategic leadership and governance of the Cathedral.

Chapter comprises the Dean, the Residentiary Canons and a number of additional non-executive lay people appointed as set out in the Cathedral's governing documents known as its Constitution and Statutes, one of whom acts as the Senior Non Executive Member (SNEM) who is the Vice Chair. The Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Finance Officer also attend Chapter meetings.

The operational management of the Cathedral is enabled by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) chaired by the Chief Operating Officer and comprising the Dean, the Residentiary Canons and the Director of Finance. Other senior members of staff may also be invited to attend SLT meetings.

Lorna Quinn
Non-Executive Member of Chapter responsible for Safeguarding

Lorna Quinn

Non-Executive Member of Chapter responsible for Safeguarding

Dawn Weddell
Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Dawn Weddell

Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Adedamola Aboaba
Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Adedamola Aboaba

Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Robert Eveleigh
Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Robert Eveleigh

Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Andrew Copp
Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Andrew Copp

Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Valerie Anderson
Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Valerie Anderson

Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Music team

Logan Williamson
Organ Scholar

Logan Williamson

Organ Scholar

Samantha Lindsay
Chorister Welfare Assistant

Samantha Lindsay

Chorister Welfare Assistant

Paula Langford
Choir Welfare Assistant

Paula Langford

Choir Welfare Assistant

Vergers

Call 01245 252429 or send an email to the Vergers.

John Elliott

Head Verger

David Robinson

Verger

Ed Haynes

Verger

Paul Hardy

Verger

Church Wardens

Cathedral Wardens and Deputy Wardens represent members of the congregation in matters of the day-to-day operation of the Cathedral. Our role is to support all those involved in taking forward the work and mission of the Cathedral including clergy and lay staff.

Send an email to the wardens: wardens@chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk

Katie Miller

Katie Miller

Cathedral Warden

I have been a member of the Cathedral congregation almost all my life and I am particularly involved in music here. I want to see the Cathedral and its congregation grow together into the future.

Susan Hawkings

Cathedral Warden

I have been attending the Cathedral for over ten years. My main interest and responsibility is the Family and Children’s work, particularly the work of Junior Church. I also want everyone who comes through our doors to feel welcome and valued. 

Valerie Anderson

Valerie Anderson

Cathedral Warden

I focus on supporting all those who make everyone who comes to worship at the Cathedral feel welcome, safe and at ease.

Elizabeth Anscombe

Elizabeth Anscombe

Deputy Cathedral Warden

I am Elizabeth, and very interested in welcoming children to the Cathedral and making that experience as positive and encouraging as possible.

Stephen Scott

Deputy Cathedral Warden

Frans-Bauke van der Meer

Deputy Cathedral Warden

I am a chorister parent, and I feel like I've found a home in the Cathedral. I volunteered because it will be nice to help and make this house a welcoming home for others, too.