Chris Chivers

Christoher Mark "Chris" Chivers is an Anglican priest,^[1] composer^[2] and author.^[3]

Early life

Chivers was born on 16 July 1967, educated at Bristol Cathedral School^[4] and Magdalen College, Oxford^[5]

After graduation

Chivers held musical teaching posts at New College School, Oxford^[6]Cheltenham Ladies' College^[7] and King's College School, Cambridge^[8]

Ordained ministry

Early posts

Ordination, curacy

After studying at Westcott House, Cambridge, he was ordained in 1997 at St Paul's Cathedral by the Bishop of London. He served his curacy in the Parish of Friern Barnet.^[9] During his time there he was named one of the top ten preachers of the year in The Times 1999 Preacher of the Year competition.^[10]

South Africa

In 1999 he went to Cape Town as Canon Precentor of St. George's Cathedral, Cape Town.^[11] While there he witnessed the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and spoke to the worshippers at Friday Prayers in a local mosque.

Later posts

Westminster Abbey

In November 2001 he was appointed Precentor of Westminster Abbey in London and Chaplain of Westminster Abbey Choir School. He participated in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Blackburn Cathedral

In 2005 he became Canon Chancellor of Blackburn Cathedral.^[12][13] While there, he was one of the first to teach the Awareness Course.

Return to London

In 2010 he became Vicar of John Keble Church, Mill Hill,^[14] in the Diocese of London and in 2012 a priest vicar of Westminster Abbey.

Westcott House, Cambridge

On 12 April 2015, it was announced that Chivers would return to Westcott House, Cambridge, as Principal from 1 August 2015.^[15]

As author

Chivers has written about his experiences in South Africa^[16] and made contributions to other collections. As a journalist he has written for the Cape Times,^[17] The Times, The Independent,^[18] The Guardian,^[19] Church Times,^[20] Church of England Newspaper and The Tablet.^[21]

Musical work

His choral works have been sung at (amongst others) King's College, Cambridge, Westminster Abbey and Gloucester Cathedral; and include: Our Blessed Lady's Lullaby (1988), Ecce Puer (1994), Mayenziwe Magnificat (2000) and Diptych (2006).

Broadcasting

Chivers has presented The Daily Service for BBC Radio 4,^[22] interviewed Desmond Tutu and was part of the team broadcasting the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington DC.^[23]

Other

• In 2008 his work in reaching out to the Muslim faith was recognized when he was the named the North West's Man of the Year.^[24][25]
• In 2009 he became a Companion of the Melanesian Brotherhood, the largest Anglican religious order in the world.^[26]
• He is currently Chair of the Trustees of Us. (formerly the USPG);^[27] and Faith Advisor to the Charity Commission.
• He and his wife Mary Chivers have three sons: Dominic (born 1999); Gregory (born 2000); and Jonathan (born in 2007).

References