Interim, full-time Incumbent All Saints, Congleton (potential for permanent)

Introduction

Interim Incumbent with potential to become permanent 

All Saints Congleton - full‑time appointment

All Saints Congleton is seeking an initially interim incumbent to lead the parish through an important period of development and change. We are now entering an exciting new phase: consolidating resources, shaping a major development project, and strengthening our mission and presence across the town for which we are seeking an incumbent to lead us in this next step of our faith adventure.

The parish has four churches and has grown a shared identity under the banner of All Saints.  St Stephen’s is the main centre for Sunday worship and offers great potential for expanded mission and outreach. St Peter’s, a much‑loved landmark, is the focus of a significant 10‑year development plan to enhance its use for worship and community life, supported by initial funding and a committed working group. The PCC has taken decisions to develop one of our chapels of ease, St John’s Buglawton, for additional missional and community use, and that at the second chapel of ease, Holy Trinity Mossley,  worship should cease and the church be closed. 

The parish are praying for a woman or man of God who will bring:

• A deeply rooted Christian faith, shaped by Scripture and prayer, with a life guided by the Holy Spirit.

• Proven leadership ability, able to unite people, navigate complexity, and build strong relationships within the church and wider community.

• Experience in managing change, delivering projects to completion, and communicating with clarity, tact, and diplomacy.

• The capacity to prioritise well, delegate effectively, and empower others to use their gifts in ministry.

• A commitment to growing a younger church, working collaboratively with the Children & Families Missioner to strengthen mission among children, young people, and families.

• Inspiration to all sections of our congregation to live out their faith in everyday life.

• A demonstrable commitment to fostering a strong and effective safeguarding culture in the parish.

  
  

Accommodation is offered in a modern, spacious Rectory located in a cul-de-sac close to Holy Trinity church, the local CofE primary school and church-owned community buildings.

Congleton is a vibrant market town between Manchester and Stoke, on the edge of the Cheshire Peak District. With a population of around 28,400, it is known for its festivals, flower displays, creative community, and strong local identity. The town boasts over 150 community groups, a lively centre, a theatre, museum, leisure centre, excellent schools and a beautiful park.

The post has been designated an interim one under Section 29 of the Ecclesiastical Terms of Service Measure. In relation to Congleton, the post will initially be for three years, with the expectation it will be renewed for a further two years. At the end of the five-year period, the post will either come to an end or, if the Incumbent, Parish and Diocese are all content, and parish share is being met in full then the interim arrangement will be made permanent.

For a conversation about the post, please feel free to contact the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, The Venerable Jane Proudfoot, jane.proudfoot@chester.anglican.org

We will particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups.  

Applications should by preference be made to the USING THE DIOCESAN APPLICATION FORM 

Completed forms should be returned to: deb.toole@chester.anglican.org, and also copied to the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, jane.proudfoot@chester.anglican.org

Closing date:   16th September 2026            

Shortlisting:     21st September 2026           

Interviews:       28th September 2026

The Diocese of Chester is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We will not shortlist candidates unless they can provide an assurance of up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid DBS check for their current post.

Candidates are required to submit relevant training certificates with their applications. An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.

About us:

The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website www.chester.anglican.org  We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border. The overall population is around 1.6 million.

The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley.

The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester.

The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries: 

Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present.

Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton. Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.