A new senior clergyman is set for Montgomery as a new Archdeacon gets to work in the town this month.

Revd Dr Barry Wilson has been appointed to lead the renewal of churches in towns and villages in Powys, and becomes the new Archdeacon of Montgomery after moving from the diocese of Chester, taking over from the Venerable Dr Peter Pike who retired at the end of September.

Barry who was formerly the Vice-Dean of Chester Cathedral, will be officially appointed as Archdeacon by the Bishop of St Asaph at a special service at St Asaph Cathedral on Sunday 7 October. He is one of three Archdeacons announced earlier this year by the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron as he re-shapes the leadership team in the diocese.

Bishop Gregory said: “It is an exciting time of change in the Diocese of St Asaph as these three Archdeacons take up new posts.

“The role of Archdeacon was originally conceived as the bishop’s fixers, but we want our Archdeacons to lead the renewal of the Church, and to mentor and lead Mission Areas towards growth.

“I’m delighted to welcome Barry to the diocese. He brings a wealth of experience and talents from his previous posts in the dioceses of Chester and Lichfield.”

Canon Barry Wilson, a former RE teacher from Stoke on Trent, was ordained in 1997. He has been working in the Diocese of Chester since 2013, firstly as Rector of St Mary’s in Nantwich and most recently as Vice-Dean of Chester Cathedral. Before that, he was Vicar of All Saints’ Madeley and St Margaret’s, Betley, near Newcastle under Lyme in the Diocese of Lichfield.

Barry said: “I am delighted to have moved to Wales, bringing with me the skills and experience I have developed in growing churches in Staffordshire and Cheshire during my ministry.

“I am looking forward to returning to rural life with my move to the Montgomery Archdeaconry. My happiest times in ministry were in rural communities where close relationships develop easily and deep conversations follow.”