Deon * Dean
Dean of St Asaph
The Very Revd Christopher Potter was installed as Dean of St Asaph Cathedral in 2001. He is also Team Rector of the Rectorial Benefice of St Asaph.
A graduate of Leeds University, Dean Chris lived and worked in the Diocese of St Asaph before training for ordination within the Diocese. Ordained in St Asaph Cathedral in 1993, he served as Curate of Flint (1993-96), and Vicar of Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Derwen, Llanelidan and Efenechtyd (1996 - 2001).
Regular visitors to St Asaph Cathedral have seen evidence of the Dean's vision for the Cathedral in the physical changes that have been made to the Mother Church of the Diocese. For more information, please see the Cathedral pages.
Dean Chris is Chair of the Board of Church & Society.
Cyswllt * Contact
The Very Revd Christopher Potter
chris_potter@btinternet.com
The Deanery
St. Asaph
LL17 0RL
Tel: 01745 583597
Cathedral Office
High Street
St. Asaph
LL17 0RD
Tel: 01745 582245
pamelavernon@churchinwales.org.uk
Archddiaconiaid * Archdeacons
Archdeacon of Wrexham
The Venerable Shirley Griffiths was brought up in Llanasa and Trelawnyd, the daughter of a farmer. She has worked in the Diocese of St Asaph for most of her ministry, most recently as Vicar of Abergele and St George, but for seven years worked as R.E. Adviser for the Diocese of Ripon. She became Archdeacon of Wrexham in 2010 and also serves as Rector of Llandegla.
Archdeacon Shirley was ordained deacon in 1982, serving as curate in Dyserth, Trelawnyd and Cwm. She later became Diocesan Education Officer, a post which she then combined with that of Minor Canon of St Asaph Cathedral. After serving in Ripon Diocese, she returned to Wales in 2002. Archdeacon Shirley is a graduate of the Open University and holds a Masters degree from Leeds University.
Before ordination, Archdeacon Shirley taught in Holywell for nine years. She is married with two grown-up children; she lists horse-riding, music, floral art and needlework as her interests.
Archdeacon Shirley chairs the Board of Renewal & Parish Development.
Cyswllt * Contact
The Ven Shirley Griffiths
archdeacon.wrexham@churchinwales.org.uk
The Rectory
Llandegla
Wrexham
LL11 3AW
Tel: 01978 790362
Fax: 01978 790574
Archdeacon of St Asaph
The Venerable Bernard Thomas has spent most of his life and ministry in South Wales but came to the Diocese as Archdeacon of St Asaph in 2000. He also serves as Rector of Llandyrnog and Llangwyfan.
Ordained in 1971, Archdeacon Bernard is a graduate of Swansea University and studied for ordination at St Michael's College, Llandaff. He often recounts stories of his time as Vicar of Llangynwyd and Maesteg, where he served for 14 years, his last post in the Diocese of Llandaff before moving north.
Archdeacon Bernard carries the portfolio for the Board of Lifelong Learning.
Cyswllt * Contact
The Ven Bernard Thomas
archdeacon.stasaph@churchinwales.org.uk
The Rectory
Fforddlas
Llandyrnog
Denbigh
LL16 4LT
Tel: 01824 790777
Fax: 01824 790877
Archdeacon of Montgomery
The Venerable John Thelwell is a graduate of the University of Wales, Bangor, but trained for ordination at Queens College, Birmingham, before ordination in St Asaph in 1973.
Archdeacon John has served as Youth Chaplain in the Diocese and was Vicar of Gwernaffield and Llanferres for 13 years. Team Rector of Hawarden from 1993, he became Archdeacon of Montgomery in 2002 and also serves as Vicar of Berriew.
Archdeacon John carries the portfolio for the Board of Ministry.
Cyswllt * Contact
The Ven John Thelwell
archdeacon.montgomery@churchinwales.org.uk
The Vicarage
Berriew
Welshpool
SY21 8PL
Tel: 01686 640223
Fax: 01686 640260
Ysgrifennydd Esgobaethol * Diocesan Secretary
Mrs Diane McCarthy was appointed as Diocesan Secretary in 2009, after a career with Marks and Spencer. She heads up the administration of the Diocese, based at the Diocesan Office in St Asaph.
Diane is an active member of the parish church in Rhydymwyn, near Mold, and has been a church warden, and PCC and Deanery Conference member. Originally from Cheshire, Diane went to Manchester High School before going to the University of Edinburgh to study modern languages and business studies.
After working in London in banking and retail, Diane joined Marks and Spencer, with whom she had a number of roles across the country, including store management, area management and financial control. Diane is married, with three children.
Diane chairs the Board of Communication.
Cyswllt * Contact
Mrs Diane McCarthy
dianemccarthy@churchinwales.org.uk
Diocesan Office
High Street
St. Asaph
LL17 0RD
Tel: 01745 532591
Fax: 01745 530078