Archdeacon of Ipswich, the Venerable Rhiannon King, to become new Bishop of Southampton in the Diocese of Winchester

One of the county’s most senior priests has been chosen to be a Bishop.

It was announced today by Downing Street that the Archdeacon of Ipswich, the Venerable Rhiannon King, is set to become the new Bishop of Southampton in the Diocese of Winchester in just over a month.

Archdeacon Rhiannon, 52, has been a key figure in the ‘Inspiring Ipswich’ project, a seven-year initiative aimed at revitalising Anglican churches in Ipswich and enhancing their outreach to local communities.

She said: “I have developed a deep affection for the people of Ipswich over the last five or so years and I am going to miss my amazing colleagues, lay and ordained, enormously.

‘‘My role here in Suffolk as one of four archdeacons has been an incredibly exciting one which has brought me much joy and recently I have been quietly wondering what God had in store next.

“Now I know, and I very much look forward to becoming the new Bishop of Southampton.’’

Under her leadership, the Ipswich deanery has engaged with over 20,000 new individuals since 2019, established 45 new worshipping communities, and welcomed more than 1,200 new members into congregations.

As Vice Chair of ‘Together for Ipswich,’ a coalition of more than 40 churches across various denominations, she has been particularly active in reaching out to refugees and asylum seekers.

The Rt Revd Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, said: ‘‘I very much believe this is the right role for Archdeacon Rhiannon and our loss will be Southampton’s gain.

‘‘Since arriving here in 2019 she has shown great inspiration, vision and imaginative leadership in different aspects of her role, and she is now ready to take on new challenges.

‘‘Her passion for supporting communities, helping churches to be outward-looking and her prayerful energy will stand her in good stead for her new Bishop’s role.”

In her new position, she will serve as a suffragan bishop, supporting the diocesan Bishop of Winchester, with a particular focus on Southampton, Bournemouth, and surrounding areas.

Archdeacon Rhiannon’s last service will be at St Matthew’s Church in Portman Road, Ipswich, on Sunday, October 6 at 6pm.

She and her husband, Philip, who works as an Associate Director in a science facility near Oxford, will relocate to Southampton shortly after this.

She added: ‘‘Southampton is a place remarkably similar to Ipswich, though much larger, and it feels like some of the things I have been learning here in Suffolk could be of use there and also in nearby Bournemouth.

‘‘I’m passionate about helping churches to grow deeper in their faith, to grow younger and more diverse, and I love to see new people being helped to find faith so I will be prioritising these things.’’