Associate Vicar
Job specification
St Mary Abbots is a large, historic parish church in the heart of West London with a vibrant church community, full pattern of daily services, longstanding choral tradition, close relationship with the parish school and established civic and community links. The shops, restaurants and businesses of Kensington High Street, as well as Kensington Town Hall, Kensington Palace and parts of Kensington Gardens fall within our parish boundaries.
The Daily Office and the Eucharist are offered throughout the week; our Sunday service provision includes a Common Worship Parish Eucharist, alongside an 8 am Eucharist, Choral Matins and Sung Evensong, all from the Book of Common Prayer.
We have a well-staffed parish office (Parish Manager, PA/communications and events co-ordinator, Virger, Hall Manager and part-time Children’s Worker); and our team Ministry comprises the Vicar and one other full-time Associate Vicar, as well as the Associate Vicar we seek; a Licensed Lay Minister and two Honorary Associate Priests We have regular contact with our parish primary school: one of the clergy acts as a governor and another as chaplain to the school, and we offer weekly Collective Worship and a weekly Eucharist, as well as pastoral support.
This has been a time of change for the church, though we have also sought to honour and preserve the history and tradition of a parish which has existed for over 800 years. Our current Mission Action Plan discerned three main areas of focus for the next three years: Welcome, Discipleship and Outreach. This has encouraged us to begin a number of building projects aimed at increasing the welcome, visibility and accessibility of our church building; committing to deepening the faith and spirituality of the congregation; and working to expand and develop our existing social outreach in the local community.
We are seeking to appoint a priest of the Church of England who has, as a minimum, completed a curacy title post, to the full-time, stipendiary post of Associate Vicar.
This is a Locally Supported Ministry post, in agreement with the Diocese, who will pay full stipend, subject to ongoing funding by the PCC who are also responsible for providing housing. Funding has currently been agreed for three years.
The post comes with a two/three-bedroom cottage in St Mary Abbots Centre, which is situated between Kensington Church Street and Kensington Gardens, and also houses the Church Halls, the Parish Office, the Vicarage and one further cottage.
We are looking for someone who:
The Daily Office and the Eucharist are offered throughout the week; our Sunday service provision includes a Common Worship Parish Eucharist, alongside an 8 am Eucharist, Choral Matins and Sung Evensong, all from the Book of Common Prayer.
We have a well-staffed parish office (Parish Manager, PA/communications and events co-ordinator, Virger, Hall Manager and part-time Children’s Worker); and our team Ministry comprises the Vicar and one other full-time Associate Vicar, as well as the Associate Vicar we seek; a Licensed Lay Minister and two Honorary Associate Priests We have regular contact with our parish primary school: one of the clergy acts as a governor and another as chaplain to the school, and we offer weekly Collective Worship and a weekly Eucharist, as well as pastoral support.
This has been a time of change for the church, though we have also sought to honour and preserve the history and tradition of a parish which has existed for over 800 years. Our current Mission Action Plan discerned three main areas of focus for the next three years: Welcome, Discipleship and Outreach. This has encouraged us to begin a number of building projects aimed at increasing the welcome, visibility and accessibility of our church building; committing to deepening the faith and spirituality of the congregation; and working to expand and develop our existing social outreach in the local community.
We are seeking to appoint a priest of the Church of England who has, as a minimum, completed a curacy title post, to the full-time, stipendiary post of Associate Vicar.
This is a Locally Supported Ministry post, in agreement with the Diocese, who will pay full stipend, subject to ongoing funding by the PCC who are also responsible for providing housing. Funding has currently been agreed for three years.
The post comes with a two/three-bedroom cottage in St Mary Abbots Centre, which is situated between Kensington Church Street and Kensington Gardens, and also houses the Church Halls, the Parish Office, the Vicarage and one further cottage.
We are looking for someone who:
- is first and foremost a team player, inclusive in theology and practice, warm and pastorally sensitive to the needs of people of all ages and stages of faith, who will work closely with clergy colleagues, parish staff and a wide range of volunteers, and encourage and develop lay ministry
- has the commitment, energy and stamina required for a church with a busy pattern of services, broad pastoral outreach, and a regular programme of cultural events and community activities
- has the Daily Office and regular Eucharistic worship at the heart of his/her own life and Christian practice
- is a wise, inspiring, challenging and theologically articulate preacher
- has a heart for community outreach and will maintain and build on our active partnerships with local charities and organisations
- can take on the role of chaplain to our parish CE Primary School
- possesses the organizational, administrative and communication skills to draw together, nurture and enable the gifts and skills of a wide variety of people
- is in sympathy with, and delights in, the choral and liturgical tradition of the Church of England
The Associate Vicar:
- will report to the Vicar and will serve with her as part of a team alongside their fellow Associate Vicar, assistant clergy, LLM, lay staff, Director of Music, professional choir and a wide range of volunteers
- will take a full share in leading and preparing Sunday services, the Daily Office and weekday Eucharists, occasional offices and school worship
- will share in the pastoral nurture of all parishioners, including children, families, the elderly, the sick and the isolated
- will maintain and expand existing partnerships and joint activities with local charities and community groups
- will be keen to take the opportunity of working in a large and busy parish to engage with the strategic, organisational and practical aspects of church leadership, participating fully in the life of the parish, Deanery, Area and Diocese
- a two/three-bedroom cottage with small garden in St Mary Abbots Centre
- the opportunity to preside at a variety of different services, including weekly choral services alongside a professional choir, large civic services, healing Eucharists, more informal services and school worship, together with a good number of occasional offices
- a place to develop wide pastoral experience and community outreach links within a supportive team
- the chance to engage with the administration and management of a large parish
- time to develop areas of particular interest within ministry and mission
Closing date: Monday 9th February 2026 at 10am.
Interviews: Wednesday 25th February
For an initial informal conversation with the Vicar, please contact [email protected],uk
Please send completed application forms (below) to Petter Kringberg, Parish Manager,
at [email protected] or to
The Parish Manager,
St Mary Abbots Parish Office, Vicarage Gate,
London W8 4HN
Interviews: Wednesday 25th February
For an initial informal conversation with the Vicar, please contact [email protected],uk
Please send completed application forms (below) to Petter Kringberg, Parish Manager,
at [email protected] or to
The Parish Manager,
St Mary Abbots Parish Office, Vicarage Gate,
London W8 4HN
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Job Spec
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Job Application
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The post will be offered subject to enhanced DBS checks and an interview with the Bishop of Kensington, the Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, who will license the Associate Vicar to the parish.
