Press Release

[Home]  [Index]   [Search]   [E-mail]

New offices opened by the Bishop of SouThwark

9 October 2002

The Rt Rev Tom Butler, the Bishop of Southwark has opened the new offices for the Diocese of Southwark. They are situated next to the Diocesan House off Borough High Street just down from the river and the Cathedral.

Work has been undertaken to renovate the building and make the offices suitable to bring together the Diocesan Training Team, the staff of the Woolwich Episcopal Area with the staff of the Board of Finance and Board for Church in Society. The Diocesan Office also houses the London and Southwark Diocesan Housing Association.

In dedicating the building Bishop Tom also said that this marked ten years since the Diocesan Administrative offices had moved into Trinity House and he gave thanks for all that the staff have done since that time.

He also named three rooms in the new part of the building. The rooms in Trinity House are all named after former Bishops of Southwark and the rooms in the new building have all been named after women who had made a significant contribution to the work of the Diocese. They are the Stricklen Room named after Ann Stricklen who was for many years, prior to her death in 1998, the Social Responsibility Officer for the Diocese, advising parishes on community development. The Cecilia Goodenough Room named after the pioneering lay worker who was much involved in training in the Diocese. The final room was named after Isabella Gilmore the first deaconess in the Church of England. She has left a fund to be used for training courses for women in ministry in Southwark, Rochester and London Dioceses.

Following the dedication staff and members of the Bishop’s Council toured the newly renovated annexe.

A photograph is available on request.

Ends.

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
Mobile: 07831-694021
Fax: 020-7939 9468