Bishops

Bishop of Chester - Mark Tanner

Mark is married to Lindsay and they have two children, both of whom are studying at university. They live in Chester, where Mark has served as Bishop since 2020.

Prior to coming to Chester, Mark was Bishop of Berwick in the Diocese of Newcastle, following a number of years as Warden of Cranmer Hall training church leaders and others. He has served in local churches in Ripon, Doncaster, Coventry, and on the Wirral, and done various forms of chaplaincy including school and Army.

Mark has authored a number of works including The Introvert Charismatic and The PCC Member’s Essential Guide.

In his spare time he will be found tinkering with a Land Rover, riding a motorbike, or out on the hills.

Address: Bishop's House, Abbey Square, Chester. CH1 2JD T: 01244 350864 E: bpchester@chester.anglican.org

Bishop of Birkenhead - Julie Conalty

Prior to becoming the Bishop of Birkenhead, Julie was the Archdeacon of Tonbridge. She grew up in the North West of England but has spent the last 35 years "exiled" in the south.

She first experienced a call to ordained ministry as a teenager and when she finished school she moved to Sheffield to study for a Biblical Studies degree. Upon graduation, as women could not train to become priests, Julie found work running a homeless shelter, trained as a social worker, and began a career in the Probation Service in London. Eventually, she was accepted for ordination training and was ordained deacon in 1999 and priest in 2000. 

Julie is married to Simon and they have two grown-up sons. Julie likes a beer and a takeaway curry on a Friday night and the whole family support Charlton Athletic.

Address: Bishop's House, Abbey Square, Chester. CH1 2JDT: 01244 350864 E: bpbirkenhead@chester.anglican.org

Follow Bishop Julie on Twitter: @BirkenheadBish

The Bishop of Stockport - Sam Corley

Before becoming the Bishop of Stockport, Sam was the Rector of Leeds, a role he took up in 2015. Previous to this, Sam was Precentor of Bradford Cathedral, Senior Chaplain to the University of Bradford, and Faith Advisor to the Lord Mayor of Bradford.

Sam read theology at the University of Durham and taught history in Surrey before training for the ministry at St John’s College, Nottingham.

Sam is married to Claire, who is herself in ordained ministry within the Church of England, and they have three children.

Having spent much of his childhood working on a farm, Sam also has a deep love of the countryside and nature.

Address: Bishop's House, Abbey Square, Chester. CH1 2JD T: 01244 350864 E: bpstockport@chester.anglican.org