Diocese of Ely

The Diocese of Ely is a Church of England diocese in the Province of Canterbury. It is headed by the Bishop of Ely, who sits at Ely Cathedral in Ely. There is one suffragan (subordinate) bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon. The diocese now covers the modern ceremonial county of Cambridgeshire (excluding the Soke of Peterborough) and western Norfolk. The diocese was created in 1109 out of part of the Diocese of Lincoln.

Diocese of Ely Dioecesis Eliensis
Coat of arms of the Bishop of Ely: Gules, three ducal coronets or[1]
Flag
Location
Ecclesiastical province	Canterbury
Archdeaconries	Cambridge, Huntingdon and Wisbech
Statistics
Parishes	309
Churches	339
Information
Cathedral	Ely Cathedral
Language	English
Current leadership
Bishop	Bishop of Ely (vacant; acting: the Bishop of Huntingdon)
Suffragan	Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon
Archdeacons	Alex Hughes, Archdeacon of Cambridge[2] Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech
Website
https://www.elydiocese.org/

The diocese is ancient, and the area of Ely was part of the patrimony of Saint Etheldreda. A religious house was founded in the city in 673. After her death in 679 she was buried outside the church, and her remains were later reburied inside, the foundress being commemorated as a great Anglian saint.

The diocese has had its boundaries altered various times. From an original diocese covering the historic county of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely, Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire were added in 1837 from the Diocese of Lincoln, as was the Sudbury archdeaconry in Suffolk from the Diocese of Norwich. In 1914 Bedfordshire became part of the Diocese of St Albans, and western Suffolk became part of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, whilst Ely took a western part of the Diocese of Norwich. Peterborough remains the seat of the Diocese of Peterborough.^[3]

Today the diocese covers an area of 1,507 square miles (3,900 km²). It has a population of 705,000 and comprises 209 benefices, 303 parishes and 335 churches with 145 stipendiary parochial clergy.

Bishops

The diocesan Bishop of Ely (vacant) is assisted by a Bishop suffragan of Huntingdon (Dagmar Winter).

There are also four retired bishops living in the diocese who are licensed as honorary assistant bishops:

• 2011–present: Lindsay Urwin. Former Area Bishop of Horsham.^[4] At present, he is a parish priest in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.^[5]
• 2012–present: Retired Dean of St Paul's and former Bishop of Sodor and Man Graeme Knowles lives in Bury St Edmunds (in neighbouring Eds & Ips diocese.)^[6]
• 2013–present: John Flack, retired Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome & Archbishop's Representative to the Holy See and former Bishop of Huntingdon, lives in Whittlesey.^[7]
• 2020–present: Graham Kings, former Bishop of Sherborne.^[8]

Alternative episcopal oversight (for parishes in the diocese which reject the ministry of women priests and bishops) is provided by the provincial episcopal visitor, Norman Banks, Bishop suffragan of Richborough, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese to facilitate his work there.

The Bishop of Peterborough has also been commissioned as assistant bishop in the diocese so that he can exercise pastoral care in several old Huntingdonshire parishes now within the Peterborough unitary authority: including Stanground, Orton, Woodston, Yaxley and Fletton.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Archdeaconries and deaneries

Map of deaneries in Ely Diocese, coloured by archdeaconry (Huntingdon & Wisbech, north; Cambridge, south). Key: (1) Wisbech Lynn Marshland (2) Fincham & Feltwell (3) March (4) Yaxley (5) St Ives (6) Ely (7) Huntingdon (8) St Neots (9) Fordham & Quy (10) North Stowe (11) Bourn (12) Cambridge North (13) Cambridge South (14) Granta (15) Shingay

The archdeaconry of Wisbech was active from 1915 to 2005. The following changes to deaneries have taken place:

• the deaneries of Fordham and Quy merged in 2002 to form the deanery of Fordham and Quy
• the deaneries of Wisbech and Lynn Marshland merged in 2002 to form the deanery of Wisbech Lynn Marshland
• the deaneries of Fincham and Feltwell were merged in 2004 to form the deanery of Fincham and Feltwell.
• the deaneries of Shelford and Linton were merged in 2009 to form the deanery of Granta.
• the deanery of Cambridge was split in 2006 into the deaneries of Cambridge North and Cambridge South.
• the deanery of Leightonstone was merged into the deanery of Huntingdon in 2004.

Deaneries in 1851

In 1851 the diocese had the following rural deaneries:^[13]

• Barton (Cambs)
• Bedford (Beds)
• Blackbourn (Suffolk)
• Bourn (Cambs)
• Cambridge (Cambs)
• Camps (Cambs)
• Chesterton (Cambs)
• Clapham (Beds)
• Clare (Suffolk)
• Dunstable (Beds)
• Eaton (Beds)
• Ely (Cambs)
• Fleete (Beds)
• Fordham (Cambs/Suffolk)
• Leightonstone (Hunts)
• St Ives (Hunts)
• St Neots (Hunts)
• Shefford (Beds)
• Shingay (Cambs)
• Sudbury (Suffolk)
• Thedwastre (Suffolk)
• Thingoe (Suffolk)
• Wisbech (Cambs)
• Yaxley (Hunts)

Diocese	Archdeaconries	Rural Deaneries	Population
Diocese of Ely	Archdeaconry of Cambridge	Deanery of Bourn	27,913
		Deanery of Cambridge North	69,975
		Deanery of Cambridge South	62,428
		Deanery of Fordham and Quy	29,433
		Deanery of Granta	33,096
		Deanery of North Stowe	47,138
		Deanery of Shingay	21,269
	Archdeaconry of Huntingdon & Wisbech	Deanery of Ely	58,230
		Deanery of Fincham and Feltwell	36,708
		Deanery of Huntingdon	57,830
		Deanery of March	58,032
		Deanery of St Ives	44,362
		Deanery of St Neots	37,630
		Deanery of Wisbech Lynn Marshland	65,902
		Deanery of Yaxley	77,384

Churches

Outside deanery structures

• Cathedral of the Holy & Undivided Trinity, Ely (medieval)
• St Peter-in-Ely (proprietary chapel) (1890)

Archdeaconry of Cambridge

Deanery of Bourn

• Benefice and Parish of Cambourne (population 12,088): Cambourne Church Local Ecumenical Partnership (1999)
• Benefice of Lordsbridge
  • Parish of Barton (population 851): St Peter's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Caldecote (population 2,034): St Michael and All Angels' Church (medieval) --- St Mary's Church, Childerley (medieval, closed C16th)
  • Parish of Comberton (population 2,266): St Mary's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Coton (population 944): St Peter's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Dry Drayton (population 700): SS Peter & Paul's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Great Eversden (population 235): St Mary's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Hardwick (population 2,678): St Mary's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Harlton (population 311): Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Haslingfield (population 1,546): All Saints' Church (medieval) --- St Mary's Chapel, White Hill, Haslingfield (medieval, closed C16th)
  • Parish of Little Eversden (population 567): St Helen's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Toft (population 563): St Andrew's Church (medieval)
• Benefice of Papworth:
  • Parish of Bourn (population 988): SS Helena & Mary's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Boxworth (population 215): St Peter's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Caxton (population 600): St Andrew's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Conington (population 138): St Mary's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Croxton (population 160): St James's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Elsworth (population 689): Holy Trinity Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Eltisley (population 386): SS Pandionia & John the Baptist's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Graveley (population 276): St Botolph's Church (medieval) --- St John the Baptist's Church, Papworth St Agnes (medieval, closed 1976)
  • Parish of Kingston (population 236): All Saints & St Andrew's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Knapwell (population 88): All Saints' Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Lolworth (population 161): All Saints' Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Longstowe (population 207): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Papworth Everard (population 3,840): St Peter's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Toseland (population 89): St Michael's Church (medieval)
  • Parish of Yelling (population 323): Holy Cross Church (medieval)

Deanery of Cambridge North

• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge Holy Cross (population 4,452): Christ the Redeemer Church (C20th)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Andrew the Great (population 3,193): St Andrew the Great (medieval, rebuilt 1843) --- Holy Sepulchre Church (The Round Church) (medieval, out of regular use c. 1994) --- All Saints' Old Church (medieval, demolished 1863) --- All Saints' New Church (1863, redundant 1973)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Clement (population 469): St Clement's Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Mary the Great with St Michael (population 730): St Mary the Great (medieval) --- St Michael's Church (medieval, closed for worship C20th)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Matthew (population 3,930): St Matthew's Church (1866)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge Ascension (population 18,783): St Giles' Church (medieval) --- St Augustine of Canterbury's Church (1898) --- St Luke the Evangelist's Local Ecumenical Partnership (1863, rebuilt 1874) --- St Peter's Church (by the Castle) (medieval, redundant C20th) --- All Saints by the Castle (medieval, closed 1365)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge Christ Church with St Andrew the Less (population 5,758): Christ Church (1839) --- St Andrew the Less (medieval, closed 1839) --- Leper Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, Barnwell (medieval, closed C16th) --- St John's Mission Chapel, Wellington Street (1874, closed c. 1940)
• Benefice and Parish of Chesterton Good Shepherd (population 15,578): Good Shepherd Church (1958) --- St John's Church, Orchard Park (2013, in primary school)
• Benefice and Parish of Chesterton St Andrew (population 9,535): St Andrew's Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Chesterton St George (population 9,214): St George's Church (1938)
• Benefice and Parish of Fen Ditton (population 3,763): St Mary the Virgin's Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Horningsea (population 328): St Peter's Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Teversham (population 1,097): All Saints' Church (medieval)

Deanery of Cambridge South

• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge Holy Trinity (population 1,883): Holy Trinity Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Barnabas (population 3,287): St Barnabas' Church (1869)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Benedict (population 988): St Bene't's Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Botolph (population 2,082): St Botolph's Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Edward (Proprietary Chapel) (population 1,339): St Edward King and Martyr's Church (medieval) --- St John the Baptist's Church (St John Zachary) (medieval, closed C15th)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St James (population 6,630): St James's Church (1955)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St John the Evangelist (population 11,385): St John the Evangelist's Church (1896)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Martin (population 6,891): St Martin's Church (1932, rebuilt 1961) --- St Thomas's Church (1980)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Mary the Less (population 1,366): St Mary the Less¹ (medieval) --- St Anne's Chapel (medieval, closed 1546)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Paul (population 5,665): St Paul's Church (1841)
• Benefice and Parish of Cambridge St Philip (population 9,835): St Philip's Church (1891) --- St Stephen's Church (1940s, rebuilt 1962, sold 2010)
• Benefice and Parish of Cherry Hinton (population 10,099): St Andrew's Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Grantchester (population 534): SS Andrew & Mary's Church (medieval)
• Benefice and Parish of Newnham (population 3,050): St Mark's Church, Newnham, Cambridge (1870, rebuilt 1901)
• Benefice and Parish of Trumpington (population 13,343): SS Mary & Michael's Church (medieval)

¹rededicated and rebuilt 1352; previously St Peter's-outside-Trumpington-Gates

Ely Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Littleport[15]	St George, Littleport	Medieval	8,776
Coveney[16]	St Peter-ad-Vincula, Coveney	Medieval	428
Ely[17]	St Mary, Ely	Medieval	25,650
	Christ Church North Ely	2016
	St Leonard, (Little) Downham	Medieval
	St James, Stretham	Medieval (1876)
	St Michael & All Angels, Chettisham	Medieval
	St George, (Little) Thetford	Medieval
	Holy Cross, Stuntney	Medieval (1876)
Haddenham[18]	Holy Trinity, Haddenham	Medieval	7,150
Wilburton[19]	St Peter, Wilburton	Medieval
Witchford with Wentworth[20]	St Peter, Wentworth	Medieval
	St Andrew, Witchford	Medieval
Soham[21]	St Andrew, Soham	Medieval	10,858
Sutton[22]	St Andrew, Sutton-in-the-Isle	Medieval	5,368
Witcham with Mepal[23]	St Mary, Mepal	Medieval
	St Martin, Witcham	Medieval

Closed churches in the area

Church	Founded (building)	Out of use
St Etheldreda, Queen Adelaide	1883	1968
Holy Trinity, Pymoor	1865	1981[24]
St Peter, Prickwillow	1866	2008
St John the Evangelist, Little Ouse	1866	1976[25]
St Matthew, Littleport[26]	1878
St Owen's, Third Drove, Downham Fen	1895	C20th[27]
St Nicholas, Barway	Medieval	1972[28]

Fincham and Feltwell Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
The West Norfolk Priory Group[29]	St Martin, Fincham	Medieval	11,759
	Holy Trinity, Marham	Medieval
	All Saints, Shouldham
	St Mary the Virgin, Shouldham Thorpe
	St James, Runcton Holme	Medieval
	St Michael & All Angels & Holy Cross, Wormegay
	St Botolph, Tottenhill
	SS Peter & Paul, Watlington	Medieval
	St Mary the Virgin, Wimbotsham
	Holy Trinity, Nordelph1	1865
	Holy Trinity, Stow Bardolph
	St Peter's Mission Church, Stow Bridge
Denver and Ryston with Roxham and Bexwell and Crimplesham[30]	St Mary the Virgin, Bexwell		2,217
	St Mary, Denver
	St Michael, Ryston
	St Mary, Crimplesham
Downham Market and Stradsett[31]	St Edmund, Downham Market		8,375
	St Mary, Stradsett
Hilgay[32]	All Saints, Hilgay		1,361
	St Mark, Ten Mile Bank
Grimshoe[33]	St Mary, Feltwell		8,029
	St James, Hockwold
	St Andrew, Northwold
	St Mary the Virgin, Weeting
	St Mary, Southery
The Wissey Valley Benefice[34]	Christ Church, Whittington		4,967
	All Saints, Wretton
	St Andrew, Barton Bendish
	St Mary the Virgin, Beachamwell
	All Saints, Boughton
	St Margaret of Antioch, Wereham
	St Andrew, West Dereham
	St George, Methwold

¹services held in village hall

Closed churches in the area

Church	Founded (building)	Out of use
St Andrew, South Runcton	Medieval (1839)[35]	2010s[36]

Fordham and Quy Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
The Anglesey Group[37]	Holy Trinity, Bottisham	Medieval	5,356
	St James, Lode	1853
	St Mary, Stow (cum Quy)	Medieval
	St Mary, Swaffham Bulbeck	Medieval
	St Mary, Swaffham Prior	Medieval
Ashley with Silverley[38]	St Mary, Ashley	Medieval (1845)	2,929
Cheveley[39]	St Mary & the Holy Host, Cheveley	Medieval
Kirtling[40]	All Saints, Kirtling	Medieval
Wood Ditton with Saxon Street[41]	St Mary (prev. All Saints), Woodditton	Medieval
The Raddesley Group of Parishes[42]	St Mary, Brinkley	Medieval	2,545
	St Augustine of Canterbury, Burrough Green	Medieval
	St Peter, Carlton	Medieval
	St Mary, Dullingham	Medieval
	St Peter, Stetchworth	Medieval
	St Mary the Less, Westley Waterless	Medieval
The Three Rivers Group[43]	St Margaret, Chippenham	Medieval	6,396
	SS Peter & Mary Magdalene, Fordham	Medieval
	St Andrew, Isleham	Medieval
	St Nicholas, Kennett	Medieval
	St Peter, Snailwell	Medieval
Fulbourn[44]	St Vigor, Fulbourn	Medieval	4,696
Great Wilbraham[45]	St Nicholas, Great Wilbraham	Medieval
Little Wilbraham[46]	St John the Evangelist, Little Wilbraham	Medieval
	St George, Six Mile Bottom	1890s (1933)
Wicken[47]	St Laurence, Wicken	Medieval	841
Burwell with Reach[48]	St Mary, Burwell	Medieval	6,670
	St Etheldreda & Holy Trinity, Reach1	Medieval (1861)

¹original chapel on site dedicated to St John

Closed churches in this area

Church	Founded (building)	Closed
St Andrew, Burwell	Medieval	c. 1600[49]
All Saints, Fulbourn	Medieval	1766[50]
St Cyriac and St Julitta, Swaffham Prior	Medieval (1809)	1903
All Saints, Silverley	Medieval	C16th
St Nicholas, (Stow cum) Quy	Ancient parish church	late Middle Ages[51]
All Saints, Willingham near Carlton	Medieval	C16th[52]
St Etheldreda's Chapel, Reach	Medieval	C16th[53]
St John's Hospital Chapel, Ashley with Silverley	Medieval	1845, dem. 19561
Holy Trinity, Saxon Street	1877	c. 1986[54]

¹used as parish church from C16th until 1845

All Saints' church, Newmarket, was in this portion of the diocese until it was transferred to Suffolk in 1889.^[55] It was a chapelry to Woodditton until the 19th century.^[56] The chapelry of St Nicholas, Landwade, was also in this portion of the diocese until it was transferred to Suffolk.^[57]

Granta Deanery

Granta deanery parishes. (1) Great Shelford (2) Harston (3) Hauxton (4) Newton (5) Little Shelford (6) Stapleford (7) Sawston (8) Babraham (9) Whittlesford (10) Duxford (11) Ickleton (12) Pampisford (13) Hinxton (14) Great & Little Abington (15) Hildersham (16) Balsham (17) West Wratting (18) Weston Colville (19) West Wickham (20) Linton (21) Bartlow (22) Horseheath (23) Shudy Camps (24) Castle Camps

Benefice[58]	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
The Granta Vale Group[59]	St Mary the Virgin, Great Abington	Medieval	4,553
	St Mary, Little Abington	Medieval
	Holy Trinity, Hildersham	Medieval
	Holy Trinity, Balsham	Medieval
	St Mary, West Wickham	Medieval
	St Andrew, West Wratting	Medieval
	St Mary, Weston Colville	Medieval
Sawston[60]	St Mary the Virgin, Sawston	Medieval	7,432
Babraham[61]	St Peter, Babraham	Medieval
Duxford[62]	St Peter, Duxford	Medieval	3,008
Hinxton[63]	SS Mary & John the Evangelist, Hinxton	Medieval
Ickleton[64]	St Mary Magdalene, Ickleton	Medieval
Pampisford[65]	St John the Baptist, Pampisford	Medieval	2,043
Whittlesford[66]	SS Mary & Andrew, Whittlesford	Medieval
Harston with Hauxton and Newton[67]	All Saints, Harston	Medieval	9,015
	St Edmund, Hauxton	Medieval
	St Margaret of Antioch, Newton	Medieval
Great Shelford[68]	St Mary the Virgin, Great Shelford	Medieval
Stapleford[69]	St Andrew, Stapleford	Medieval
Little Shelford[70]	All Saints, Little Shelford	Medieval	834
Linton[71]	St Mary, Linton	Medieval	6,211
	St Mary, Bartlow	Medieval
	All Saints, Castle Camps	Medieval
	All Saints, Horseheath	Medieval
	St Mary, Shudy Camps	Medieval

Closed churches in this area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St John the Baptist, Duxford	Duxford	Medieval	1874

Huntingdon Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Fen Drayton with Fenstanton[72]	St Mary, Fen Drayton	Medieval	4,200
	SS Peter & Paul, Fenstanton	Medieval
Godmanchester and Hilton[73]	St Mary, Godmanchester	Medieval	7,755
	St Mary Magdalene, Hilton	Medieval
Hartford and Houghton with Wyton[74]	All Saints, Hartford	Medieval	7,828
	St Mary, Houghton (with Wyton)	Medieval
Hemingford Abbots[75]	St Margaret of Antioch, Hemingford Abbots	Medieval	3,205
Hemingford Grey[76]	St James, Hemingford Grey	Medieval
Huntingdon[77]	All Saints, Huntingdon	Medieval	19,109
	St Mary, Huntingdon	Medieval
	Christ Church Huntingdon	2018
	St Barnabas, Huntingdon	1969[78]
East Leightonstone[79]	St Mary Magdalene, Brampton	Medieval	6,076
	All Saints, Ellington	Medieval
	All Saints, Grafham	Medieval
North Leightonstone[80]	SS Peter & Paul, Alconbury	Medieval	5,346
	All Saints, Buckworth	Medieval
	St Michael, Great Gidding	Medieval
	St John the Evangelist, Little Gidding	Medieval (1714)
	All Saints, Hamerton	Medieval
	St Margaret, Upton	Medieval
	All Saints, Winwick [historically in Northants]	Medieval
	St Bartholomew, Great Stukeley	Medieval
	St Martin, Little Stukeley	Medieval
	St Andrew, Abbots Ripton	Medieval
	St Peter, Kings Ripton	Medieval
South Leightonstone[81]	St Giles, Barham	Medieval	2,852
	All Saints, Covington	Medieval
	St Peter, Easton	Medieval
	St Andrew, Kimbolton	Medieval
	St James, Spaldwick	Medieval
	St Botolph, Stow Longa	Medieval
	All Saints, Tilbrook [historically in Beds]	Medieval
West Leightonstone[82]	All Saints, Brington	Medieval	1,459
	St Leonard, Great Catworth	Medieval
	St Lawrence, Bythorn	Medieval
	St John the Baptist, Keyston	Medieval
	St Mary, Leighton Bromswold	Medieval
	St Peter, Molesworth	Medieval
	St Swithun, Old Weston	Medieval

Closed churches in the area

Church	Civil parish	Founded (building)	Closed
St Andrew, Woodwalton	Wood Walton	Medieval	pre-1979
St Andrew, Steeple Gidding	Steeple Gidding	Medieval
St Mary, Woolley	Barham & Woolley	Medieval	1960[83]
All Saints, Wyton	Houghton & Wyton	Medieval	1980s[84]
All Saints, Coppingford	Upton and Coppingford	Medieval	C17th[85]
Holy Trinity, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	C14th
St Andrew, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	C16th
St Benedict, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	1668
St Botolph, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	?
St Clement, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	C14th
St Edmund, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	1312
St George, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	C17th
St Germain, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	C17th
St John the Baptist, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	1667[87]
St Lawrence, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	C13th
St Martin, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	1343
St Michael, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	C16th
St Nicholas, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	?
St Peter, Huntingdon	Huntingdon	Medieval[86]	C16th

St Nicholas' Church, Swineshead, was historically in this portion of the Diocese of Ely, but moved to the Diocese of St Albans when it was transferred from Huntingdonshire to Bedfordshire.^[88] St James the Great, Thurning, was historically in this are, but moved to the Diocese of Peterborough when the parish was transferred wholly to Northamptonshire (the parish church was always in Northamptonshire).^[89]

March Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Chatteris[90]	SS Peter & Paul, Chatteris	Medieval	10,442
Six Fen Churches[91]	Christ Church, Christchurch	1864	9,012
	St Nicholas, Manea	Medieval (1875)
	St Mary, Welney [in Norfolk]	C17th (1848)
	St Mary, Doddington	Medieval
	St Peter, Wimblington	1874
	Benwick Church	Med. (1850) (2012)1
March[92]	St John the Evangelist, March	1872	22,301
	St Mary the Virgin, Westry	1873-74
	St Peter, March	1880
	St Wendreda, March	Medieval
Whittlesey, Pondersbridge and Coates[93]	St Mary, Whittlesey	Medieval	16,277
	St Andrew, Whittlesey	Medieval
	St Thomas, Pondersbridge	pre-1869 (1869)
	Holy Trinity, Coates	1839

¹medieval chapel of St James demolished. Church of St Mary built 1854, demolished 1985. Church room built 2012.

Closed churches in the area

Church	Founded (building)	Closed
Eastrea Chapel	Medieval	c. C17th[94]
Eldernell Chapel	Medieval	c. C17th[94]
Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, West Fen, March	1891	C20th[95]
St Stephen's Chapel, Angle Bridge	1877	C20th[94]
St Eanswyth, Welches Dam	1909	C20th[96]
St Peter's Mission, Slade End, Chatteris	1906	c. 1980[97]

North Stowe Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Bar Hill (LEP)[98]	Bar Hill Church (LEP)	1967 (1991)	4,032
Cottenham with Rampton[99]	All Saints, Cottenham	Medieval	6,532
	All Saints, Rampton	Medieval
Girton[100]	St Andrew, Girton	Medieval	4,733
Madingley[101]	St Mary Magdalene, Madingley	Medieval
Histon[102]	St Andrew, Histon	Medieval	8,080
Impington[103]	St Andrew, Impington	Medieval
Milton[104]	All Saints, Milton	Medieval	10,234
Landbeach[105]	All Saints, Landbeach	Medieval
Waterbeach[106]	St John the Evangelist, Waterbeach	Medieval
5Folds[107]	All Saints, Longstanton	Medieval	11,997
	St Mary, Over	Medieval
	St Andrew, Swavesey	Medieval
	St Mary & All Saints, Willingham	Medieval
	Pathfinder Church, Northstowe	2021
Oakington[108]	St Andrew, Oakington	Medieval	1,530

Closed churches in this area

Church	Founded (building)	Closed
St Etheldreda, Histon	Medieval	1599[109]
St Michael, Longstanton	Medieval	1973
St James' Chapel, Howes, Girton	Medieval	1558[110]

St Ives Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Bluntisham Cum Earith with Colne and Holywell Cum Needingworth[111]	St Mary, Bluntisham cum Earith	Medieval	6,936
	St Helen, Colne	Medieval (1900)
	St John the Baptist, Holywell	Medieval
The Ramseys and Upwood[112]	St Thomas a Becket, Ramsey	Medieval	9,809
	St Mary, Ramsey St Mary	1858
	St Peter, Upwood	Medieval
Somersham with Pidley and Oldhurst and Woodhurst[113]	St John the Baptist, Somersham	Medieval	4,911
	All Saints, Pidley cum Fenton	Medieval (1865)
	St Peter, Old Hurst	Medieval
	St John the Baptist, Woodhurst	Medieval
St Ives[114]	All Saints, St Ives	Medieval	16,249
Warboys with Broughton and Bury with Wistow[115]	St Mary Magdalene, Warboys	Medieval	6,457
	All Saints, Broughton	Medieval
	Holy Cross, Bury	Medieval
	St John the Baptist, Wistow	Medieval

Closed churches in the area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St James, Little Raveley	Upwood & The Raveleys	Medieval
St James' Chapel, Earith	Earith	Medieval	1571[116]
St Mary's Chapel, Earith Bridge	Earith	Medieval	1571[116]

St Neots Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Buckden with the Offords[117]	St Mary, Buckden	Medieval	4,150
	All Saints, Offord Cluny	Medieval
Gamlingay and Everton[118]	St Mary the Virgin, Gamlingay	Medieval	4,346
	St Mary, Everton [in Bedfordshire]	Medieval
Great Gransden and Abbotsley and Lt Gransden and Waresley[119]	St Bartholomew, Great Gransden	Medieval	1,995
	SS Peter & Paul, Little Gransden	Medieval
	St Margaret, Abbotsley	Medieval
	St James, Waresley	Medieval
The Paxtons with Diddington and Southoe[120]	Holy Trinity, Great Paxton	Medieval	4,922
	St James, Little Paxton	Medieval
	St Laurence, Diddington	Medieval
	St Leonard, Southoe	Medieval
St Neots Team Ministry[121]	St Mary, St Neots	Medieval	18,470
	St Mary, Eynesbury	Medieval
The Staughtons with Hail Weston[122]	St Andrew, Great Staughton	Medieval	3,747
	St Nicholas, Hail Weston	Medieval
	All Saints, Little Staughton [in Bedfordshire]	Medieval

Closed churches in this area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Denis, East Hatley	East Hatley	Medieval	1974
St George, Hatley St George	Hatley St George	Medieval	c. 2010
St Peter, Offord D'Arcy	The Offords	Medieval	1978

Shingay Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Bassingbourn[123]	SS Peter & Paul, Bassingbourn	Medieval	4,013
Whaddon[124]	St Mary, Whaddon	Medieval
Fowlmere, Foxton, Shepreth and Thriplow[125]	St Mary, Fowlmere	Medieval	4,340
	St Laurence, Foxton	Medieval
	All Saints, Shepreth	Medieval
	St George, Thriplow	Medieval
Melbourn[126]	All Saints, Melbourn	Medieval	6,505
Meldreth[127]	Holy Trinity, Meldreth	Medieval
The Orwell Group[128]	St Nicholas, Arrington	Medieval	2,990
	All Saints, Barrington	Medieval
	All Saints, Croydon	Medieval
	St Andrew, Orwell	Medieval
	St Andrew, Wimpole	Medieval
The Shingay Group of Parishes[129]	St Michael & All Angels, Abingdon Pigotts	Medieval	3,421
	St Mary, Guilden Morden	Medieval
	St Catherine, Litlington	Medieval
	SS Peter & Paul, Steeple Morden	Medieval
	St Giles, Tadlow	Medieval
	All Saints, Wendy	Med. (1867) (1980s)

Closed churches in this area

Church	Founded (building)	Closed
St Mary's, Clopton	Medieval	C17th
St Mary's, Shingay	Medieval (1697)	C18th
St Swithun's Chapel, Abington Pigotts	Medieval	C16th[130]
St Mary Magdalene, Kneesworth	Medieval	1549[131]
St James' Chapel, Redreth, nr. G. Morden	Medieval	C16th[132]

Wisbech Lynn Marshland Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Clenchwarton (St Margaret) and West Lynn[133]	St Margaret, Clenchwarton		3,645
	St Peter, West Lynn
East Marshland[134]	St John the Baptist, Terrington St John		5,210
	All Saints, Tilney All Saints
	St Lawrence, Tilney St Lawrence
	St Mary the Virgin, Wiggenhall St Germans
	St Mary Magdalene, Wiggenhall St Mary
The Fen Orchards[135]	All Saints, Elm	Medieval	8,307
	St Edmund, Emneth [in Norfolk]	Medieval
	St Mark, Friday Bridge	1860
Leverington, Newton and Tydd St Giles[136]	St Leonard, Leverington	Medieval	5,009
	St James, Newton in the Isle	Medieval
	St Giles, Tydd St Giles	Medieval
Outwell[137]	St Clement, Outwell		4,791
Upwell[138]	St Peter, Upwell
Terrington St Clement[139]	St Clement, Terrington St Clement		4,221
Walpole St Peter with Walpole St Andrew[140]	St Peter, Walpole St Peter		4,792
West Walton[141]	St Mary, West Walton
Walsoken[142]	All Saints, Walsoken		8,309
Wisbech (St Augustine)[143]	St Augustine, Wisbech	1868	15,354
Wisbech (St Peter and St Paul)[144]	SS Peter & Paul, Wisbech	Medieval
Wisbech St Mary & Guyhirn w Ring's End & Gorefield & Southea w Murrow & Parson Drove[145]	St Mary, Wisbech St Mary	Medieval	6,264
	St Paul, Gorefield	1870
	Emmanuel, Southea	1872-73

Closed churches in this area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Mary in the Marsh, Newton	Newton-in-the-Isle	Medieval	C16th[146]
St Etheldreda, Coldham	Coldham	1876	pre-2008[147]
St Mary Magdalene, Guyhirn	Guyhirn	1878	pre-2012[148]
Octagon Chapel, Wisbech	Wisbech	1831	1946[149]
Guyhirn Chapel	Guyhirn	Medieval (1660)	1960
St John the Baptist, Parson Drove	Parson Drove	Medieval	1974
Corpus Christi, Murrow	Murrow	Medieval (1857)	c. 2005[150]
St Peter, Wiggenhall St Peter	Wiggenhall St Germans	Medieval	Early C20th[151]
St Mary the Virgin, Wiggenhall	Wiggenhall St Germans	Medieval	1981[152]
St Mary, Islington	Tilney St Lawrence	Medieval	?
St Andrew, Walpole	Walpole	Medieval	?

Yaxley Deanery

Benefice	Churches	Founded (building)	Population served[14]
Fletton[153]	St Margaret, Fletton	Medieval	12,886
Woodston[154]	St Augustine of Canterbury, Woodston	Medieval (1844)
Hampton[155]	Christ the Servant King, Hampton	2014?	11,084
The Ortons[156]	Holy Trinity, Orton Longueville	Medieval	17,859
	St Mary, Orton Waterville	Medieval
Orton Goldhay Conventional District[157]	Christ Church in Orton Goldhay (LEP)	c. 2000
Alwalton and Chesterton[158]	St Andrew, Alwalton	Medieval	3,649
	St Michael, Chesterton	Medieval
Sawtry, Glatton and Holme with Conington[159]	All Saints, Sawtry	Medieval (1880)	6,407
	St Nicholas, Glatton	Medieval
	St Giles, Holme	Medieval (1862)
Stanground and Farcet[160]	St John the Baptist, Stanground	Medieval	12,265
	St Michael & All Angels, Stanground	C20th
	St Mary, Farcet	Medieval
Stilton w Denton & Caldecote & Folkesworth w Morborne & Haddon[161]	St Mary Magdalene, Stilton	Medieval	4,058
	St Helen, Folkesworth	Medieval
	St Mary, Haddon	Medieval
	All Saints, Morborne	Medieval
Elton[162]	All Saints, Elton	Medieval
Yaxley[163]	St Peter, Yaxley	Medieval	9,176

Closed churches in this area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
All Saints, Botolph Bridge	Orton Longueville	Medieval	1695[164]
All Saints, Conington	Conington	Medieval
All Saints, Denton	Denton & Caldecote	Medieval	1960s
St Mary Magdalene, Caldecote	Denton & Caldecote	Medieval	1970s[165]
Washingley Parish Church	Folksworth & Washingley	Medieval	C15th[166]
St Andrew, Sawtry	Sawtry	Medieval	1879
St Mary's, Sawtry Judith	Sawtry	Medieval	C16th[167]

Diocesan news publications

Publication	From	To
Ely Diocesan Remembrancer[168]	May 1885	December 1915
Ely Diocesan Gazette[169]	January 1916	November 1989
Ely Ensign[170]	December 1989	January 2007
eLife Diocesan Newsletter	January 2009	Present

Dedications

Medieval churches (and chapelries)

• All Saints: Barrington, Botolph Bridge, Brington, Broughton, Buckworth, Cambridge (x2), Castle Camps, Conington (Hunts), Coppingford, Cottenham, Covington, Croydon, Denton, Ellington, Elm, Elton, Fulbourn, Grafham, Hamerton, Harston, Hartford, Haslingfield, Horseheath, Huntingdon, Kirtling, Knapwell, Landbeach, Little Shelford, Lolworth, Longstanton, Melbourn, Milton, Morborne, [Newmarket], Offord Cluny, Pidley-cum-Fenton, Rampton, St Ives, Sawtry, Shepreth, Silverley, Teversham, Thriplow,^[171] Tilbrook, Willingham (near Carlton), Winwick, Woodditton,^[172] Wyton
• All Saints & St Andrew: Kingston
• Assumption of Mary: Harlton, West Wickham^[173]
• Corpus Christi: Murrow
• Holy Cross: Bury, Stuntney, Yelling
• Holy Sepulchre: Cambridge
• Holy Trinity: Balsham, Bottisham, Cambridge, Elsworth, Ely, Great Paxton, Haddenham, Hildersham, Huntingdon, Meldreth, Orton Longueville
• St Andrew: Abbots Ripton, Alwalton, Burwell, Cambridge (x2), Caxton, Cherry Hinton, Chesterton (Cambs), Girton, Grantchester,^[174] Great Staughton, Histon, Huntingdon, Isleham, Kimbolton, Oakington, Orwell, Sawtry, Soham, Stapleford, Steeple Gidding, Sutton, Swavesey, Toft, West Wratting, Whittlesey, Whittlesford,^[175] Wimpole, Witchford, Wood Walton
• St Anne: Cambridge
• St Augustine: Burrough Green, Woodston
• St Bartholomew: Great Gransden, Great Stukeley
• St Benedict Cambridge, Huntingdon
• St Botolph: Cambridge, Graveley, Huntingdon, Stow Longa
• St Catherine: Litlington, Newton-in-the-Isle^[146]
• St Clement: Cambridge, Huntingdon
• SS Cyriac & Julitta: Swaffham Prior
• St Denis: East Hatley
• St Edmund: Emneth, Hauxton, Huntingdon
• St Edward the Martyr: Cambridge
• St Etheldreda: Histon, Impington,^[176] Reach
• St George: Hatley St George, Huntingdon, Littleport, Thetford
• St Germain: Huntingdon
• St Giles: Barham, Cambridge, Holme, Tydd St Giles
• St Helen: Bourn,^[177] Colne, Folksworth, Little Eversden
• St James: Benwick,^[178] Croxton, Earith, Hemingford Grey, Howes, Little Paxton, Little Raveley, Newton,^[179] Redreth, Spaldwick, Stretham, [Thurning], Waresley
• St John the Baptist: Ashley (hospital chapel), Cambridge, Duxford, Holywell-cum-Needingworth, Huntingdon, Keyston, Pampisford, Parson Drove, Reach, Somersham, Stanground, Tadlow,^[180] Wistow, Woodhurst
• St John the Evangelist: Little Gidding, Little Wilbraham, Waterbeach
• St Lawrence: Bythorn, Diddington, Foxton, Huntingdon, Wicken
• St Leonard: Downham, Great Catworth, Leverington, Southoe
• St Margaret: Abbotsley, Chippenham, Fletton, Hemingford Abbots, Little Staughton,^[181] Upton
• St Martin: Huntingdon, Little Stukeley, Witcham
• St Mary: Ashley, Bartlow, Bluntisham, Brinkley, Buckden, Burwell, Cambridge, Cheveley, Childerley, Clopton, Comberton, Conington (Cambs), Doddington, Dullingham, Earith Bridge, Ely, Everton, Eynesbury, Farcet, Fen Ditton, Fen Drayton, Fordham,^[182] Fowlmere, Gamlingay, Godmanchester, Great Abington, Great Eversden, Great Shelford, Guilden Morden, Haddon, Hardwick, Haslingfield, Hinxton,^[183] Houghton, Huntingdon, Ickleton,^[184] Leighton Bromswold, Linton, Little Abington, Longstowe, Mepal, Newton-in-the-Isle, Orton Waterville, Over, St Neots, Sawston, Sawtry Judith, Shingay, Shudy Camps, Stow, Swaffham Bulbeck, Swaffham Prior, Wendy,^[185] Westley Waterless, Weston Colville, Whaddon, Whittlesey, Wisbech, Woolley
• St Mary Magdalene: Brampton, Caldecote (Hunts), Hilton, Kneesworth, Madingley, Stilton, Stourbridge, Warboys
• St Matthew: Willingham^[186]
• St Michael: Abington Pigotts, Caldecote (Cambs), Cambridge, Chesterton (Hunts), Chettisham, Great Gidding, Huntingdon, Longstanton, Toseland
• St Nicholas: Arrington, Barway, Glatton, Great Wilbraham, Hail Weston, Huntingdon, Kennett, [Landwade], Manea, Quy, [Swineshead], Trumpington^[187]
• St Pandionia: Eltisley^[188]
• St Peter: Babraham, Barton, Boxworth, Cambridge (x2), Carlton, Coton, Duxford, Easton, Horningsea, Huntingdon, Kings Ripton, Molesworth, Offord D'Arcy, Old Hurst, Papworth Everard, Papworth St Agnes,^[189] Snailwell, Stetchworth, Upwood, Wentworth, Wilburton, Wisbech, Yaxley
• St Peter-ad-Vincula: Coveney
• SS Peter & Paul: Alconbury, Bassingbourn, Chatteris, Dry Drayton, Fenstanton, Little Gransden, Steeple Morden
• St Radegund: Cambridge
• St Swithin: Abington Pigotts, Old Weston
• St Thomas Becket: Ramsey
• St Vigor: Fulbourn
• St Wendreda: March
• No dedication/dedication unknown: Eastrea, Eldernell, Guyhirn, Washingley

Post-medieval churches

• All Saints: Cambridge (1863)
• Christ Church: Cambridge (1837), Christchurch (1864), Ely (2016), Huntingdon (2018), Orton Goldhay (c. 2000)
• Christ the Redeemer: Cambridge (C20th)
• Christ the Servant King: Hampton (2014)
• Emmanuel: Southea (1872)
• Good Shepherd: Cambridge (1958)
• Holy Cross: Cambridge (c. 1950)
• Holy Trinity: Coates (1839), Nordelph (1865), Pymoor (1865), Saxon Street (1877)
• Holy Trinity & St Etheldreda: Reach (1861)
• Pathfinder Church: Northstowe (2021)
• St Augustine: Cambridge (1898), Wisbech (1868)
• St Barnabas: Cambridge (1869), Huntingdon (1969)
• St Eanswyth: Welches Dam (1909)
• St Etheldreda: Coldham (1876), Queen Adelaide (1883)
• St George: Chesterton (Cambs) (1938), Six Mile Bottom (1890s)
• St James: Cambridge (1955), Lode (1853)
• St John the Evangelist: Cambridge (x2) (1874, 1891), Little Ouse (1866), March (1872), Orchard Park (2013)
• St Luke: Cambridge (1863)
• St Mark: Friday Bridge (1860), Newnham (1870)
• St Martin: Cambridge (1932)
• St Mary: Benwick (1854), March (1873), Ramsey St Mary (1858), Welney (C17th)
• St Mary Magdalene: Guyhirn (1878), March (1891)
• St Matthew: Cambridge (1866), Littleport (1878)
• St Michael: Stanground (C20th)
• St Owen: Downham Fen (1895)
• St Paul: Cambridge (1841), Gorefield (1870)
• St Peter: Chatteris (1906), Ely (1890), March (1880), Prickwillow (1866), Wimblington (1874)
• St Philip: Cambridge (1889)
• St Stephen: Angle Bridge (1877), Cambridge (c. 1940)
• St Thomas: Cambridge (1980), Pondersbridge (C19th)
• No dedication/dedication unknown: Bar Hill (1967), Cambourne (1999), Wisbech (1831)

Benefices by population

Benefice	Population	Churches	Clergy (Oct 2025)
Cambridge Ascension	18,783	3	1 Team Rector, 1 Team Vicar
Cambridge Chesterton Good Shepherd	15,578	2	1 Vicar, 3 Curates
Cambridge Trumpington	13,343	1	Vacant, 1 NSM
Lordsbridge	12,695	11	2 Team Vicars, 2 Curates, 3 NSMs
Cambourne	12,088	1	Vacant (served by a Baptist minister)
Cambridge St John the Evangelist	11,385	1	1 Vicar, 2 NSMs, 1 Hon. Curate
Cambridge Cherry Hinton	10,099	1	1 Vicar, 1 Curate, 1 NSM
Cambridge Chesterton St Andrew	9,535	1	1 Vicar, 3 NSMs
Cambridge Chesterton St George	9,214	1	1 Vicar, 1 NSM
Papworth	8,396	15	1 Team Rector, 1 NSM
Cambridge St Martin	6,891	1	1 Vicar, 2 NSMs
Cambridge St James	6,630	1	Vacant, 1 Curate
Cambridge Christ Church	5,758	1	1 Vicar, 4 Curates
Cambridge St Paul	5,665	1	1 Vicar, 1 Curate, 1 NSM
Fen Ditton // Horningsea // Teversham	5,188	3	1 Joint Rector/Vicar, 1 Joint Curate
Cambridge Holy Cross	4,452	1	1 Vicar
Cambridge St Matthew	3,930	1	1 Vicar, 1 Curate
Grantchester // Cambridge Newnham	3,584	2	1 Joint Vicar, 1 Joint Curate, 1 Curate, 2 Joint NSMs
Cambridge St Barnabas	3,287	1	1 Vicar, 1 Curate
Cambridge St Andrew the Great	3,193	1	1 Vicar, 2 Curates
Cambridge St Botolph	2,082	1	1 Rector, 1 NSM
Cambridge Holy Trinity	1,883	1	1 Priest-in-Charge, 3 Curates
Cambridge St Mary the Less	1,366	1	1 Vicar, 1 Curate, 1 NSM
Cambridge St Edward	1,339	1	1 Chaplain, 1 Curate
Cambridge St Benedict	988	1	1 Vicar, 1 NSM
Cambridge St Mary the Great	730	1	1 Vicar, 2 Curates, 2 NSMs
Cambridge St Clement	469	1	1 Vicar

Deaneries by population

Benefice	Population	Churches	Clergy (Oct 2025)	Popn. per stip. cl.
Cambridge North	76,830	16	2 Rectors, 10 Vicars, 13 Curates, 6 NSMs	3,073
Cambridge South	68,542	16	1 Rector, 8 Vicars, 1 P-in-C, 1 Chapl, 15 Curates, 12 NSMs, 1 Hon. Curate	2,636
Bourn	33,179	27	1 Rector, 2 Vicars, 2 Curates, 4 NSMs	6,636

See also

• Lands and Liberties of the Church at Ely