A South Lakeland vicar has been announced as the 42nd Dean of Carlisle Cathedral.

The Rev Canon Jonathan Brewster – currently Cartmel Peninsula Mission Community Leader and Interim Team Vicar in the parishes of Haverthwaite, Finsthwaite and Staveley in Cartmel, and Associate Priest in the parishes of St Paul Grange-over-Sands and Field Broughton with Lindale – will take up the post in September.

The announcement was made this morning by Downing Street after His Majesty The King approved the appointment. It follows the retirement of the Very Rev Mark Boyling as Dean last September.

Jonathan, 56, said: “I am thrilled to be announced as the new Dean and very much look forward to working alongside the Cathedral’s Chapter, staff and volunteers and colleagues in the wider Diocese as we seek to further God’s mission in the city and county.

“I’m very conscious that the Cathedral community has been through an extremely busy few years, with the Fratry project, the 900th anniversary celebrations and the impact of the Covid pandemic.

"The Cathedral will need time to give thanks and take stock before discerning where God may be leading next, whilst also connecting with the many exciting things happening in and around Carlisle.

He comes to the post having served in the Cartmel Peninsula Team for nearly two years after moving to the Diocese of Carlisle in September 2021.

Ordained Deacon in 1994 after studying for a BA in Theology at Trinity College Bristol, he was a curate in the Diocese of Bradford, and between 1998 and 2003 led an ecumenical chaplaincy team in the University of Westminster. 

He was the Vicar of Christ Church with St John and St Saviour in Highbury for 14 years, also serving as Area Dean of Islington from 2014 and Acting Archdeacon of Hackney from 2015 to 2016.

In 2017 he moved to St Paul’s Cathedral as Residentiary Canon and Treasurer.

Jonathan is married to Sarah and they have four children, an older son and daughter who have left home and two teenage daughters.

The Rt Rev James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle, said: “I am delighted that Jonathan has been appointed Dean of Carlisle.

"He brings to the post proven mission-focussed skills and a huge experience of working within a Cathedral setting.

"As he prepares to take on the role I will hold him, Sarah and all of their family in my prayers.”

Prior to taking up the post, Jonathan will continue to liaise closely with the Interim Dean of the Cathedral, the Rev Canon Michael Manley who is also Canon Missioner.

Michael said: “On behalf of the whole Cathedral chapter, staff, volunteers, and worshipping community, we are delighted to welcome Jonathan as our new Dean.

“We all very much look forward to working together to continue to see God’s Kingdom grow here in the city of Carlisle and, indeed, across the whole of the Diocese through our numerous outreach projects.

Jonathan will be installed as the 42nd Dean of Carlisle at a special service at Carlisle Cathedral on Saturday, September 30 at 3pm.

He will be attending Evensong at the Cathedral on Wednesday, June 28 at 5.45pm and all are very welcome to attend.