6 June 2024
The Revd Canon Dr Chigor Chike, who currently serves as the Vicar of Emmanuel Church, Forest Gate in the Diocese of Chelmsford, has been named as the next Archdeacon of Lewisham & Greenwich, in the Diocese of Southwark. Chigor will succeed The Venerable Alastair Cutting, who has been announced today as the new Bishop of Woolwich.
The Revd Canon Dr Chigor Chike (right), Archdeacon-Designate of Lewisham and Greenwich, with The Venerable Alastair Cutting, Bishop-Designate of Woolwich.
Announcing the appointment, the Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun said:
“I am glad to appoint Dr Chigor Chike as the next Archdeacon of Lewisham & Greenwich in the Woolwich Episcopal Area where he will work alongside the new Area Bishop and the Archdeacon of Southwark. Chigor is a priest with a pastoral heart, solid parish experience in East London, and great theological insight. He has a passion for social justice and, God willing, his enormous gifts will be a great blessing both to the archdeaconry and wider Diocese. Please pray for Chigor and his family as they make this transition.”
Commenting on the appointment, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said:
“My warm congratulations to Chigor on his appointment as Archdeacon of Lewisham and Greenwich. Chigor has been a faithful servant to the communities he has served at Emmanuel Forest Gate and before that at St Luke’s Canning Town. He has also played a hugely important role in our diocese and across the Church of England shining a light on the need for us to improve representation and to tackle racism. We are very grateful for all he has brought to the life of our diocese during his time with us. He will be greatly missed and will leave with our prayers for this next chapter in his ministry.”
Chigor has served as the Vicar of Emmanuel Church in Forest Gate, East London, for fourteen years. He is expected to begin his new ministry in Autumn 2024. Sharing a message with colleagues and friends in Chelmsford Diocese, he said:
“I have been blessed to serve in Chelmsford Diocese for twenty-two years at parish, deanery and diocesan levels. I consider every opportunity I have had a great privilege. The new role will no doubt be a change, but as I lived in the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich years ago, it is a context I am familiar with. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope to continue to contribute to the wok of God’s kingdom.”
About The Revd Canon Dr Chigor Chike
Chigor Chike was born in 1966 in Nigeria. He studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Benin before working for Lever Brothers Nigeria until he moved to the UK in 1992.
In 1999, Chigor completed his training as a Church Army Evangelist and was appointed as Homeless Outreach Worker at St Martin in the Bull Ring in Birmingham. In 2002, Chigor moved to become the Community Evangelist for St Luke’s Church Canning Town. In this role, he established Canning Town Outlook, which organised English Language classes and dress-making lessons for refugees in the area. While in this role, Chigor discerned a calling for ordained ministry and trained at St John’s College in Nottingham. He was ordained in 2006 and served his curacy at St Luke’s Canning Town. In 2010, he was appointed Vicar of Emmanuel Church Forest Gate, where he has served until now.
Chigor is a keen student, having gained a National Diploma in Evangelism Studies (Church Army), a BA in Theology (University of Gloucestershire), an MTh in Applied Theology (Oxford University), a PhD in Theology (University of Birmingham) and an MA in Islamic Studies (University of Wales Trinity Saint David).
He has published several books and articles on Christian theology and social issues and his book, African Christianity in Britain, is seen by many as ground-breaking in its field. His second book, Voices From Slavery, has also been highly commended. Chigor is a visiting lecturer at the University of Roehampton and has acted as consultant on diversity, equity and inclusion for a number organisations.
Alongside parish ministry, he is a chaplain to King Charles, a member of the Archbishops’ Racial Justice Commission, Chair of REIN (a London-based equalities organisation) and coordinator of an Interfaith project called Faithful Friends, among other roles.
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Read more about the Rev Canon Dr Chigor Chike's appointment on the Diocese of Southwark website
