Archdeacon of Blackburn

The Archdeacon of Blackburn is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Blackburn. Originally created on 17 August 1877^[1] within the Diocese of Manchester, the office became a part of the new Diocese of Blackburn upon its creation on 12 November 1926.^[2]

As archdeacon she or he is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy^[3] within the seven area deaneries: Accrington, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Leyland, Pendle and Whalley.

List of archdeacons

• 1877–1885 (res.): Edward Birch (c. 1814–1886; first Archdeacon)
• 1885–1899 (res.): Robert Rawstorne
• 1900–1901 (d.): Francis Cramer-Roberts, Vicar of Blackburn and assistant bishop
• 1901–1916 (d.): Robert Fletcher
• 1916–1920 (res.): Willoughby Allen
• 1920–1921 (d.): Edward Richardson
• 1922–1936 (d.): Atherton Rawstorne, Bishop suffragan of Whalley

The archdeaconry was transferred from the diocese of Manchester to the newly created diocese of Blackburn by Order-in-Council on 12 November 1926.^[2]

• 1936–1936 (res.): Henry Fosbrooke
• 1936–1946 (ret.): Richard Newman
• 1946–1959 (res.): Charles Lambert
• 1959–1962 (d.): Arnold Picton
• 1962–1973 (d.): Norman Hodd
• 1973–1986 (ret.): Desmond Carroll (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1986–1996 (ret.): David Robinson^[4] (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
• 1996–September 2001 (res.): John Marsh
• 2002–31 July 2015 (ret.): John Hawley
• 31 July–aft. September 2015 (Acting): Roger Smith^[5]
• bef. November 2015 – February 2016 (Acting): Timothy Lipscomb^[6]
• 14 February 2016 – April 2025:^[7] Mark Ireland^[8] (retired)^[9]
• 23 November 2025 onwards: Jane Atkinson (announced)^[10]