The Parish’s clerical team is led by the Dean, Fr John Harvey who serves as the Parish Priest, and he is supported by an Assistant Priest, Fr Gary Dench, and three Deacons.
THE CATHEDRAL DEAN
Fr John moved from London when he was about 5 years of age to Chadwell Heath, where he grew up. From his earliest memories he always felt called to the Priesthood, and at the age of 18 he left home for the beginning of Seminary formation. Fr John attended a Jesuit College for two years and St Mary’s Seminary, Oscott for 6 years, being Ordained on the 11th July 1981. He served for 9 years in three different parishes as an assistant priest, and then was appointed Parish Priest in another three parishes. His last Parish, St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton, he served for 21 years.
In 1995 Bishop Thomas McMahon asked Fr John to study Canon Law and he attended St Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, gaining a License & Masters in Canon Law. He serves on our Diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal as a Judge in annulment cases.
In 2017 to mark the centenary of the Diocese of Brentwood, Bishop Alan asked him to join the Cathedral Chapter of Brentwood as a Canon and Consultor
He was appointed the Cathedral Dean in 2023.
ASSISTANT PRIEST
Fr Gary grew up in Essex and studied at the University of Edinburgh. He trained for the Priesthood in Valladolid and Rome before his ordination on 22nd June 2019. He has been the assistant priest here at Brentwood Cathedral since September 2019
Deacon Paul was ordained to the permanent diaconate in July 1989 by Bishop Thomas McMahon. He has served the Cathedral parish and the wider diocese for over thirty years celebrating countless numbers of baptisms, marriages and funerals. Deacon Simon Conrad is his son.
Deacon Simon was brought up in a loving, faith-filled family within the Cathedral parish. The witness to the life of faith of the parish community played a significant part in nurturing him over time, firstly towards married life and the gift of his own family and to the more recent calling to his vocation as a Deacon. It is now his privilege to serve the community through his ministry, while retaining his love for teaching and music.
Deacon Nicholas was ordained to the permanent diaconate in July 2022. He is married to Alix and has two grown up daughters, Charlotte and Hannah. He works as a manager of Older People Residential Care for Essex County Council. As well as his ministry within the parish, he is a Governor at the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School; a member of the Brentwood Catenian Circle and he volunteers at Chelmsford Prison as part of the chaplaincy team.
Brentwood Cathedral began in 1861 as a parish church built in a Gothic style. This relatively small building was raised to cathedral status in 1917. Between 1989 and 1991 the church was enlarged in an Italianate classical style.
The new Brentwood Cathedral was dedicated by Cardinal Basil Hume on 31 May 1991 and in 2022 the cathedral was listed at Grade II.
Photos used are copyright and property of Brentwood Cathedral, Graham Hillman and Jim Lynch
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