Rector of St Nicholas, Sutton

Lambeth Palace Library; Sutton; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused church in Sutton is seeking a Rector who can build relationships within the community and foster both tradition and innovation in worship. The ideal candidate will engage with residents as 'Town Centre' priest and have experience in working with diverse populations and ecumenical partners. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the spiritual life of the congregation while connecting with those in the wider town.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build relationships within the community.
• Experience in maintaining church traditions while innovating worship.
• Ability to work with ecumenical partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a guiding light for the congregation.
• Engage with the wider population as a 'Town Centre' priest.
• Work closely with key organizations in Sutton.

Skills

Community engagement

Innovative worship practices

Conflict resolution

Education

Ordained priest in an Anglican church

Job description

The Bishop of Southwark, with Hertford College Advowson Trustees, wish to appoint a Rector of St Nicholas Church, Sutton

We are seeking a Rector who will seize the opportunities that the changes happening in Sutton have to offer, someone who will build relationships with those who live and work here as 'town centre' priest. Someone who is engaging and innovative, who will be able to strike a balance between maintaining and honouring the traditions of St Nicholas Church whilst finding creative new ways to enrich our worship and grow our congregation.

St Nicholas Church lies at the heart of Sutton, close to a bustling high street and green spaces. There is a significant building programme to house a growing population (which was 209,602 in 2021). It is within easy reach of both the centre of London and the rolling hills of the Downs. This gives the town a mix of those who have settled in the area, and those more mobile and ethnically diverse.

The core of the congregation is mainly elderly, although the overall mix very much reflects the profile of the population of Sutton. We are best described as 'middle of the road' – not High Church nor evangelical. We are part of a Local Ecumenical Partnership with the nearby Baptist and Methodist/United Reformed churches. We have long been warm and welcoming, but in recent times have faced some challenging times and are looking forward to being able to heal, and to build and grow together numerically, emotionally and spiritually.

Our Mission Action Plan has three essential goals – to be embracing, encouraging and uniting. We are proud that our fundamental aim has long been to provide a safe and welcoming space where all can come together, to care for those in need whatever their background, and to work closely with our ecumenical partners and key organisations across our parish and the centre of Sutton.

Ideal Candidate

• Be a guiding light for the congregation, but also engage with the wider population, through the Local Ecumenical Partnership, as a ‘Town Centre’ priest, and working with other organisations in Sutton.
• Be able to strike a balance between maintaining and honouring the traditions of St Nicholas Church whilst finding creative new ways to enrich our worship and grow our congregation.

For an informal conversation with the Archdeacon, contact [e-mail]

To find out more, please view the attached Parish Profile and Bishop’s Statement.

Closing date: Sunday 11 January 2026

Parish visit: Wednesday 28 January 2026

Formal interview: Thursday 29 January 2026

Please note that to be appointed to an incumbent status post in this Diocese, a priest must have served a title post in an Anglican church in the British Isles. We aim to be a diverse and truly representative Diocese, and particularly welcome applications from women and people of UKME heritage. This post is subject to DBS enhanced disclosure. Please note that your Pathways generated CV will be downloaded and reviewed alongside your application, so please do ensure this information is up to date.