Cathedral News

New Dean of Rochester announced by Number 10

New Dean of Rochester announced click for further details 

The Queen has approved the nomination of the Reverend Mark Howard Francis Beach, MA, DMin, Team Rector of Rugby in Coventry Diocese, to be appointed to the Deanery of the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the elevation of the Very Reverend Adrian Newman, BSc, MPhil as Suffragan Bishop of Stepney on 1 April 2011.

Press Release

The Revd Dr Mark Howard Francis Beach MA DMin (50) has been appointed the new Dean of Rochester Cathedral.

Currently Team Rector in the Diocese of Coventry, Mark is familiar with parts of Kent, having first studied at the University of Kent. He said: "I am delighted to be coming back to Kent. I often passed over the railway bridge and looked admiringly at the Cathedral and Castle but never dreamt I would one day live next door! It is a good time to be joining the team at Rochester as Bishop James leads a renewed vision for the diocese and the Cathedral awaits the outcome of its Heritage Lottery Fund bid.”

“I am looking forward to building on the work of Adrian Newman, the previous Dean, and deepening relationships with the diocese and other parts of society in the area. I am especially keen that the Cathedral should play an important part in the life of Medway, whose aspirations to become a city I share.”

“Cathedrals are beacons of our faith and places of welcome and sanctuary from the busy world. In the present economic environment this becomes even more important and I hope that together we can continue this openness to the church and the world.”

Mark has a keen interest in the voluntary sector and has been the Chair of Trustees of Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action for the last 4 years. He has also led the churches involvement with the sector in Coventry and Warwickshire as Transforming Communities Officer for the Diocese of Coventry.

He is a regular contributor to Radio 2 and 4 and to local radio in Warwickshire. Mark is married to Annabel and they have one daughter Ellie (15).

In his spare time, Mark is a keen blogger, enjoys singing and spending time with his family and their exuberant Lurcher, Murphy. He is also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers.

Revd Dr Beach will be installed as Dean in Rochester Cathedral on Sunday, May 20 at 3.15pm.