The Dean of Carlisle, the Very Revd Jonathan Brewster, has announced today that he is to step down from his role.

Jonathan was appointed the 42nd Dean of Carlisle nearly two years ago, having served in the Diocese as Cartmel Peninsula Mission Community Leader and Interim Team Vicar in the parishes of Haverthwaite, Finsthswaite and Staveley in Cartmel, and Associate Priest in the parishes of St Paul Grange-over-Sands and Field Broughton.

During his time as Dean, Jonathan has worked tirelessly to support and grow the Cathedral community and to foster relationships with partner agencies across the city.

He said: “It has been an honour and privilege to serve the Cathedral and to work alongside clergy and lay colleagues in Carlisle and across the County as together we look towards the flourishing of God’s Kingdom in Cumbria. I have been encouraged to see how the Cathedral has grown in hospitality and outreach and to see how it is recognised throughout Cumbria as a place of prayer, reflection and faithful service.

“As I look to the future, I will continue to give thanks and pray for the Cathedral Community and the Diocese I have grown so fond of and would ask your prayers for Sarah and I as we discern God’s next step for our future ministry and the family.”

Ordained Deacon in 1994 after studying for a BA in Theology at Trinity Bristol, he was curate in the Diocese of Bradford, and between 1998 and 2003 led an ecumenical chaplaincy team in the University of Westminster. He also served for three years as Assistant Director of Ordinands in the Diocese of London. In 2001 Jonathan completed an MA in Systematic Theology at Kings College London. He was Vicar of Christ Church with St John and St Saviour in Highbury for 14 years, also serving as Area Dean of Islington from 2014 and Acting Archdeacon of Hackney from 2015 to 2016. In 2017 he moved to St Paul’s Cathedral as Residentiary Canon and Treasurer, an appointment involving the oversight of the building and the commercial and financial aspects of its work, relating these to the Cathedrals spiritual mission of worship, prayer and service.

The Bishop of Carlisle Designate, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh said: “After much reflection Dean Jonathan has decided to step down as Dean of Carlisle. He is currently on leave and will not be returning to his duties. The role of Dean is extremely challenging, and Jonathan has increasingly felt that his priestly vocation is not flourishing alongside the wider demands of the office of Dean. Jonathan and his family have not reached this decision lightly, and their love and prayers for the whole Cathedral community continue. Dean Jonathan will be seeking a new post and I am supporting him in doing that.

“Jonathan has been a trusted friend and wise and prayerful colleague. He and Sarah have contributed much to the life of the cathedral and wider diocese, and we owe them both a debt of thanks. Jonathan, Sarah and their family, go with our love and our prayers.”

Canon James Spedding-Fryer, senior non-executive member of the Cathedral Chapter, said: “Chapter fully respects Jonathan’s decision and accepts that it has only been made after a great deal of prayer and careful reflection. He and his family leave the Cathedral with our sincere good wishes for their future.”

Meanwhile, the Venerable Michael Everitt has been appointed as Interim Dean of Carlisle. He is currently Canon Pastor at Durham Cathedral and Archdeacon Emeritus of Lancaster. Ordained in 1992 after studying Theology in London, Rome and Birmingham, Michael began his ministry as a curate and went on to serve in both Lancashire and South Africa as a university chaplain and lecturer, hospice and hospital chaplain and cathedral precentor. He later took on parish leadership roles as rector and area dean, ministering in contexts as diverse as a large pit village and a city parish, before moving into senior governance as Archdeacon of Lancaster. He now holds the title Archdeacon Emeritus of Lancaster and serves as a trustee for various charities including the Peru Mission. He was heavily involved in the establishing of the Fusehill campus of (the now) University of Cumbria and was a tutor for the Carlisle and Blackburn Diocesan Theological Institute/Lancashire and Cumbria Theological Partnership.

Michael said: “Ruth and I have delighted in being part of the community of Durham Cathedral over the last six years. All there will remain central to our prayers. It is an honour to be invited to serve Carlisle Cathedral. Since being ordained thirty-three years ago, I have worn the Carlisle Cross around my neck and that same year I was married at Carlisle Cathedral. It is a place and a community very dear to my heart and to be part of it is both humbling and exciting. The ceiling and people of the Cathedral give the world a glimpse of heaven, the warmth of its walls radiate the love of God to his world. Ruth, my wife, and I are very much looking forward to living, praying and being in a place central to our lives.”

Bishop Rob said: “I have known Michael for many years, and he brings a great wealth of experience as parish priest, Archdeacon and as a Canon at Durham Cathedral. He also knows our cathedral well.He will be a wise and prayerful interim Dean who will pastor and lead the cathedral well over these coming months. I am very grateful to him for taking up this role and to our colleagues at Durham for releasing him. We pray for him and Ruth as they make this move, and for the whole cathedral community at this time.”

Canon James Fryer-Spedding said: “Chapter is delighted that someone of Michael's considerable gifts and experience has been appointed as Interim Dean. We greatly look forward to welcoming him and Ruth to the Cathedral.”

Michael will take up the role of Interim Dean at the beginning of August 2025.

ENDS

For further information please contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or communications@carlislediocese.org.uk, or Cath Coates, Carlisle Cathedral Marketing and Communications Officer on 01228 479227 or marketing@carlislecathedral.org.uk.