05.11.2013
New Appointments Announced to Christ Church Chapter
Two new canons have been appointed to the Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. The Revd Nigel Sherwood, rector of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride, suceeds Canon John Clarke who retired as rector of Wicklow at the end of September. The Revd William Deverell, rector of Tallaght, suceeds Canon Ted Ardis, who took up his new position of Dean’s Vicar at Saint Fin Barre’s cathedral and union of parishes, Cork, on Sunday November 3.
The appointments have been welcomed by the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Revd Dermott Dunne. He said: “I am very happy to welcome the Revd Nigel and the Revd William to the Chapter of the cathedral. They are worthy successors of Canon John Clarke and Canon Ted Ardis both of whom were loyal supporters of the cathedral and personal friends. I look forward to working with the new canons as we enter the next phase in the life of the cathedral.”
The Revd Nigel Sherwood said he was honoured to hear of the appointment. “When I was about ten years of age our local rector the Revd A. E. Crawford gave myself and two other boys lessons on how to create a cannon in billiards. Afterwards he became known as Canon Crawford. He was instrumental in sowing seeds towards my vocation and was the first person I thought of on hearing of my appointment. I hope I can follow in his footsteps, even if it is a different Cathedral!” he commented.
He grew up in Clara, County Offaly and attended boarding school at the King’s Hospital School. After finishing school, he joined Penney’s as a trainee manager, leaving some six and a half years later for the Theological College. He was ordained in 1986 and served as a curate in Kildallon and Kilmore. In 1989 he was appointed as rector of the Tullow Group of parishes before moving to Arklow in 1995. I is married to Carol and they have three sons Adam (25), Robin (23) and Peter (16).
The Revd William Deverell said his appointment was completely unexpected.
“I was surprised and very humbled to hear of my appointment to the Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral. I have long had an interest in cathedral life and in the cathedral’s role in reaching out to the wider community. I am delighted to have this opportunity and look forward to the challenges that it presents,” he stated.
A native of Dublin, William was ordained in 1993 and served as a curate in Agherton, Portstewart, until 1995. He was rector of Sixmilecross with Termonmaguirke in Armagh from 1995 to 1999 after which be became rector of Tallaght where he has served for 14 years. He is married to Valerie and they have two children, Amy (20) and Lionel (15).
Photo Captions: The Revd Nigel Sherwood (left) and the Revd William Deverell (right).