John Perry

Areas of Interest

Religion

Honorary Award

Honorary Doctor of the University, 2001

Biography

John Perry was Anglican Bishop of Chelmsford from 1996 to 2003. Educated at Mill Hill School, he completed his National Service in the Royal Corps of Signals before entering the London College of Divinity to study for a Licentiate in Theology. He was ordained as Deacon in Guildford Cathedral in 1959, and Priest one year later. He served as Curate at Christ Church in Woking, then as Vicar of St Andrew's Chorleywood. John remained at Chorleywood for 15 years, a period that saw a certain 'renewal' within the church as attendances increased enormously. He then served as Warden of the Lee Abbey Community in N. Devon, a conference, retreat and holiday centre, during which time he published his book Effective Christian Leadership (1981). In 1989 he was consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Southampton and Canon of Winchester Cathedral. In 1996 he was translated to the Diocese of Chelmsford where he served until his retirement in 2003. During this period he was a member of the House of Lords (2000-2003). He is currently Executive Chairman of the Lee Abbey Movement, Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), and a Vice-President of the University of Gloucester and of Mildmay Mission Hospital, London. He and his wife Gay have five married children and 15 grandchildren.

In 2001 Bishop John Freeman Perry was made an Honorary Doctor of the University.