The Revd Canon Dr Chigor Chike has been named as the next Archdeacon of Lewisham & Greenwich, in the Woolwich Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Southwark. Chigor will succeed The Venerable Alastair Cutting, who has been announced today as the new Bishop of Woolwich.
Announcing the appointment, the Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun said, “I am glad to appoint Dr Chigor Chike as the next Archdeacon of Lewisham & Greenwich in the Woolwich Episcopal Area where he will work alongside the new Area Bishop and the Archdeacon of Southwark. Chigor is a priest with a pastoral heart, solid parish experience in East London, and great theological insight. He has a passion for social justice and, God willing, his enormous gifts will be a great blessing both to the archdeaconry and wider Diocese. Please pray for Chigor and his family as they make this transition.”
Chigor has served as the Vicar of Emmanuel Church in Forest Gate, East London, for fourteen years. It is hoped he will come into post and begin his new ministry in Autumn 2024.
“Every opportunity to serve God is a great privilege. This moment is particularly joyful because I lived in the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich many years ago and that was where my ministry journey started. It feels like a home coming,” Chigor said. “My life and ministry is my response to a calling by God to use what voice and agency I have to advocate for those marginalised – for whatever reason – by society. I am inspired by Southwark’s Diocesan Vision and excited to step into this new role, supporting parishes as they seek to bless and serve the communities of Lewisham and Greenwich.”
Alastair Cutting, Bishop-Designate of Woolwich said: “I am delighted at Chigor’s appointment as Archdeacon of Lewisham & Greenwich. He is a prayerful priest and a gifted scholar and author, whose work has enriched his personal pastoral ministry as well as the wider Church. I first got to know Chigor during the first covid lockdown through his helpful contributions to our reflections on the impact of George Floyd’s death at local and national levels. He will be a great asset to us in Southwark Diocese, joining Archdeacon Jonathan and me in the Woolwich Trio.”
“This is a really exciting appointment for the Diocese,” added Diocesan Secretary, Nicola Thomas. “Chigor’s reputation as a voice for justice and equality, as well as his insights from many years of parish ministry, will be a huge asset in his new role, and we look forward to him joining the team.”
Chigor will be commissioned and installed as Archdeacon of Lewisham & Greenwich on Sunday 29 September 2024 during Choral Evensong at Southwark Cathedral.
About The Revd Canon Dr Chigor Chike
Chigor Chike was born in 1966 in Nigeria. He studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Benin before working for Lever Brothers Nigeria until he moved to the UK in 1992.
In 1999, Chigor completed his training as a Church Army Evangelist and was appointed as Homeless Outreach Worker at St Martin in the Bull Ring in Birmingham. In 2002, Chigor moved to become the Community Evangelist for St Luke’s Church Canning Town. In this role, he established Canning Town Outlook, which organised English Language classes and dress-making lessons for refugees in the area. While in this role, Chigor discerned a calling for ordained ministry and trained at St John’s College in Nottingham. He was ordained in 2006 and served his curacy at St Luke’s Canning Town. In 2010, he was appointed Vicar of Emmanuel Church Forest Gate, where he has served until now.
Chigor is a keen student, having gained a National Diploma in Evangelism Studies (Church Army), a BA in Theology (University of Gloucestershire), an MTh in Applied Theology (Oxford University), a PhD in Theology (University of Birmingham) and an MA in Islamic Studies (University of Wales Trinity Saint David).
He has published several books and articles on Christian theology and social issues and his book, African Christianity in Britain, is seen by many as ground-breaking in its field. His second book, Voices From Slavery, has also been highly commended. Chigor is a visiting lecturer at the University of Roehampton and has acted as consultant on diversity, equity and inclusion for a number organisations.
Alongside parish ministry, he is a chaplain to King Charles, a member of the Archbishops’ Racial Justice Commission, Chair of REIN (a London-based equalities organisation) and coordinator of an Interfaith project called Faithful Friends, among other roles.
