THE next Dean of Durham is to be Canon Philip Plyming, who is at present Warden of Cranmer Hall, it was announced on Wednesday.
He succeeds the Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, who was appointed Dean of St Paul’s last year (News, 30 March 2022).
Canon Plyming, who is 49, trained at Cranmer Hall in 1998 — the theological college within St John’s College, Durham, where he completed his BA in 2000. He was ordained priest in 2002.
He served his title at Christ Church, Chineham, in Winchester diocese, before becoming Vicar of Holy Trinity, Claygate, in Guildford diocese, in 2006 for 11 years. During this time, he completed a doctorate at Edinburgh University (2008) and became Area Dean of Emly (2012).
Canon Plyming has been Warden of Cranmer Hall since 2017. He was made an Honorary Canon of Durham Cathedral last year.
He said of his appointment: “Since I first worshipped and prayed in the Cathedral when I was a student at Durham University, I have known it to be an incredibly special place where people are impressed by the beauty of the building and invited to encounter the living God.
“Inspired by the Christ-like example of St Cuthbert and the Northern saints, I look forward to leading the Cathedral’s life and mission in the years to come, so that in its worship and hospitality it continues to be a place of prayer, pilgrimage, and proclamation. I also look forward to working with all the Chapter, staff and volunteers as together we live out the Cathedral’s historic vocation.”
Welcoming him, the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, said: “Philip brings pastoral, theological, leadership and missional gifts and experience to the role. Clearly, he knows and loves the Cathedral and the diocese very well already. I am excited at the leadership Philip will bring as the Cathedral moves forward in its mission and ministry, especially in relation to younger people and those on the margins of society.”
Canon Plyming is married to Annabelle, who works as a palliative-care consultant for a local NHS Trust. They have two teenage sons. He enjoys speaking languages, travelling by train, and watching cricket.
His installation will take place in Durham Cathedral at 3 p.m. on 16 September.