New Dean of Carlisle Installed

06th October 2023

“In a world of information noise, where news, information and opinion are delivered at pace, the offer of such sanctuary and rest is needed now more than ever”. The new Dean of Carlisle, Jonathan Brewster.

New Dean of Carlisle Installed – Inspired by St Augustine

The new Dean of Carlisle, the Very Reverend Jonathan Brewster invited people from across the city, the diocese and the county to discover Carlisle Cathedral as a place of rest from a noisy world when he was installed at the weekend.

Dean Jonathan became the 42nd Dean of Carlisle and took inspiration for his first sermon from the Cathedral’s Augustinian heritage.

New Dean of Carlisle Installed

The service featured performances by the Cathedral Choirs, a civic welcome from local dignitaries, and prayers led by members of the clergy from across the diocese.

In his sermon, Jonathan spoke of the Cathedral as a place where all were invited to discover the deep rest that St Augustine famously wrote about.

“In a world of information noise, where news, information and opinion are delivered at pace, the offer of such sanctuary and rest is needed now more than ever,’ he said.

Jonathan joins Carlisle Cathedral after a two-year period as the 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.

He said:

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

“The Cathedral exists as a place of prayer and welcome for the city, the county and the whole Diocese. The Diocesan God for All vision, is precisely that, it’s an ecumenical vision for all people and I’m so looking forward to getting to know the Cathedral community, building on all that’s been achieved in its 900th anniversary year last year, and supporting the wider mission and ministry of the Diocese as the new Dean.”

Jonathan succeeds the Very Revd Mark Boyling who retired as Dean last September.

New Dean of Carlisle Installed

Photos: Credit Stuart Walker Photography