Archdeacon of Oxford

The Ven Jonathan Chaffey pictured outsideThe Ven Jonathan Chaffey

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The Venerable Jonathan Chaffey CB started as Archdeacon of Oxford in May 2020.

Jonathan was appointed in succession to Martin Gorick, who became Bishop of Dudley. Until the summer of 2018, Jonathan was Chaplain-in-Chief and Archdeacon for the Royal Air Force. He served for a short while as Interim Minister in the Hambleden Valley Group, between Marlow and Henley, before being licensed as Archdeacon of Oxford and Residential Canon at Christ Church Cathedral.

In November 2022 Archdeacon Jonathan took on the role of Interim Sub Dean in addition to his responsibilities as Archdeacon. This has meant some reduction in Jonathan’s current portfolio of work so Canon Peter Groves has kindly agreed to give more time to his role as Associate Archdeacon for the Oxford Area.

Jonathan's wife Jane is herself ordained, working formerly as a school chaplain within the diocese and now as a chaplain at Wycliffe Hall, and they have three adult daughters.

As well as being Archdeacon of Oxford, Jonathan is a member of the Cathedral Chapter of Christ Church and a member of the Governing Body of Christ Church.

"I love the liturgical rhythm of Cathedral life, but also the opportunities for prayer and proclamation that it brings. Christ Church Cathedral is unique in the world. That creates wonderful opportunities to build bridges between the Church and wider society."

While acknowledging the many challenges the Church faces, Jonathan offers a staunch defence of what the Church of England brings to society: “through its denial of a divide between the sacred and the ordinary, its inclusive understanding of mission and its reach into all corners of the land, the Church of England offers a unique service to the nation".

The Church of England Renewal and Reform programme 'Setting God’s People Free' is particularly close to Jonathan’s heart: “It’s about being confident as Christians, being resourced to share the grace of God in our schools, places of work and the wider community, amongst people who may not be religious but have a deep spiritual awareness and need.”

Find out more about the Oxford area


Additional information

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  • The Venerable Jonathan Chaffey CB has studied at the Royal College of Defence Studies and the Universities of Durham and Nottingham. He has been an Honorary Chaplain to Her Majesty The Queen and was awarded a CB (Companion of Honourable Order of the Bath) in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List.
  • Jonathan served his curacy in Liverpool and has subsequently ministered in several parishes and dioceses alongside his chaplaincy duties.
  • He contributed a paper to the discussion on the place of the established church, in Religion in the Public Arena: A Strategic Challenge facing the Church of England by the Revd Jonathan Chaffey (Seaford House Papers, 2014)
Page last updated: Wednesday 4th January 2023 9:31 AM
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