Jonathan Gledhill


Jonathan Michael Gledhill is a retired Anglican bishop. He was the Bishop of Southampton from 1996 to 2003, and the Bishop of Lichfield from 2003 to 2015.

Early life

Gledhill was born on 14 February 1949 in Windsor, Berkshire, England. He was educated at Keele University and the University of Bristol. He trained for the ministry at Trinity College, Bristol. In 2007 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Keele University in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to the Church and to the people and the County of Staffordshire."

Ordained ministry

Gledhill was curate at Marple All Saints' Chester from 1975 to 1978 and from 1978 to 1983 was priest in charge of St George's Folkestone. From 1983 to 1996 he was Vicar at St Mary Bredin, Canterbury and a tutor at the Canterbury School of Ministry. From 1988 to 1994 he was also the Rural Dean at Canterbury and from 1992 to 1996 an honorary canon of Canterbury Cathedral.
From 1995 to 1998 Gledhill was a member of the General Synod. From 1996 to 2003 he was the suffragan Bishop of Southampton. From 1997 he has chaired the Anglican-Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council and has been the chairman of the Governing Body of the National College of Evangelists.
Gledhill was the 98th Bishop of Lichfield. He was enthroned in Lichfield Cathedral on 15 November 2003 and he retired on 30 September 2015.
Gledhill has published Leading a Local Church in the Age of the Spirit.

Personal life

He is married to Jane, who is a university lecturer and a lay reader. They have one daughter and one son. His recreations include sailing and skiing.
He announced he had Parkinson's disease, shortly before his retirement from ministry.

Styles