By DAVID MORGAN
For more than a thousand years there has been a Vicar of Croydon.
Historic appointment: Canon Andrew Bishop will formally become Vicar of Croydon next month
We know that Elfsie was a priest here in AD960. Gaps in our knowledge of the post-holders means that we have to jump forward 300 years to the next Vicar whose name we know. That is Henry de la Rye. He was appointed Vicar of Croydon in 1289 by the then Rector, Aegidius de Audenardo.
Until 1390, Croydon had both a Rector and a Vicar – two different “ranks” within the strict hierarchy of the church.
Down through the ages, 61 people are known to have held the position of Vicar of Croydon. And at the beginning of September, the 62nd Vicar of Croydon will be added to the list.
The Rev Canon Andrew Bishop has served nearly six years as Priest in Charge, but on Sunday September 8 he will be formally instituted and inducted during a service of Choral Evensong. Canon Bishop will be the first new Vicar of Croydon for almost 30 years – the last such induction was for Canon Colin Boswell in 1995.
The service, which will begin at 5.30pm, will be led by the Bishop of Croydon, Rt Rev Rosemarie Mallet with the Archdeacon of Croydon, Rev Greg Prior.
Presiding: Rt Rev Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon
The full choral foundation of Croydon Minster will be singing and refreshments are to be served after the service. An invitation is extended to all, both in the parish and beyond, to come along and be a part of this special event.
In practice, this service changes little in Father Andrew’s day-to-day ministry but restores the historic title of Vicar of Croydon and focuses on mission and industry across the parish of Croydon, at Croydon Minster and St George’s Waddon.
“It is wonderful to reflect,” Father Andrew said, “that I am basically doing the same job as Elfsie did over 1,100 years ago, namely the cure of souls.”
The cure, or care, has the same root as the word “Curate”, the title usually given today to an assistant priest. Perhaps the most solemn and most moving moment in the service is when these words will be said by the Bishop: “Receive this cure of souls, which is both yours and mine.”
Father Andrew’s appointment as Vicar places him on the list with some noteworthy predecessors. There’s the Victorian social reformer, Rev Braithwaite, who did so much to improve the health and living conditions in Old Town. There was the Boer War Chaplain, Rev McCormick, who in his youth excelled at sport. There was the anti-reformation clergyman Rev Phillips who managed to avoid getting his head chopped off by swearing the Oath of Succession. And there was Rev Hill, who was a chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II.
There are those on the list about whom history has recorded almost nothing. Thomas de Maydenestan who was made Vicar of Croydon in 1309 and John Scarburgh who was Vicar in 1405 are two examples.
There is a gap in the Vicars’ list in the 15th Century. John Aldenham was presented to the vicarage in January 1408 but it is unclear when he left. In Archbishop Chicheley’s register there is a blank next to the Latin phrase “Insititutio Vicariae de Croydon” where the name of Aldenham’s successor should have been inserted. About 1420, William Oliver was appointed. It was he who gave land to the Chantry Chapel of St Nicholas inside the church so that the priest there might pray for the repose of his soul.
Not many of the services to institute and induct a new Vicar have ever happened during the month of September. William Cooke was made Vicar by Archbishop May on September 13 1553, Henry Rigge was made Vicar by Archbishop Abbot in 1616 on September 20.
September 8 2024 will be another historic date in the long timeline of Croydon Minster.
- David Morgan is the volunteer education officer at Croydon Minster, who offers tours or illustrated talks on the history around the Minster for local community groups
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
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