About the Colchester Episcopal Area

Geographically, the Colchester Episcopal Area covers over half of Chelmsford Diocese, and is home to just over 20% of its people. The Area consists of nine deaneries covering the northern part of the diocese. From coastal communities and port towns like Clacton, Frinton and Harwich in the east and largely rural communities to the west, with the historic market town of Saffron Walden and the major settlements of Halstead and Great Dunmow. It also includes major towns such as Braintree and Harlow.

The Area is served by The Bishop of Colchester, The Right Reverend Roger Morris and two Archdeacons – The Archdeacon of Colchester, The Venerable Ruth Patten and the Archdeacon of Stansted, the Venerable Kate Peacock.

Our Bishops and Archdeacons work with an Area Team made up of Area Deans, Advisors and Voluntary Officers, details of whom can be found below.

Major locations include London Stansted Airport, Harwich seaport, the University of Essex and Colchester itself which became a city in 2022.