The Diocese of Chelmsford Archdeaconry Profiles
The Diocese of Chelmsford Archdeaconry Profiles: Archdeaconry of Barking Archdeaconry of Southend Archdeaconry of Stansted 1 The Diocese of Chelmsford The Diocese of Chelmsford is a church region of more than 1,500 square miles that stretches from the east coast to the Thames and ranges from countryside to towns and suburbs. It comprises the county of Essex, the unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock, and the east London boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. Chelmsford diocese is a big, dynamic and vibrant place and its residents represent most, if not all, socio-economic groups; with a wide diversity in terms of affluence and poverty, culture, different faiths and church traditions. With a population of nearly 3 million people Chelmsford is the second largest diocese in England. There are 463 parishes and 599 churches. Nearly 30,000 children and young people attend church schools, and an estimated 100,000 young people share in assemblies, chaplaincy, clubs and youth work. The Diocese is young; created in 1914, having formerly been part of the Dioceses of London, Rochester and St Albans. It extends from the River Lea in East London, to the Essex coast and the boundary with Suffolk. That the Diocese contains such huge diversity creates a very special place that is different from most other large dioceses and creates unique opportunities and challenges for the future. 2 Archdeaconry of Barking The Barking episcopal area covers the western part of the diocese in what was originally old Essex, east of the river Lea. The Episcopal Area is named after the ancient abbey founded as a missionary centre by St Erkenwald in 666 for his sister Saint Ethelburga.
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