Coventry Cathedral bids farewell to The Very Rev'd John Irvine ...

Coventry Cathedral
2012 is the year that Coventry Cathedral is celebrating its Golden Jubilee - a landmark
occasion recognising 50 years of service to Coventry's community and the world, both
through its unique international mission of peace and reconciliation, and as a cultural centre
for the performing arts.
For 50 years, the cathedral has been a dynamic centre of worship and mission, a place of
pilgrimage, liturgical creativity, and healing; a focus for reconciliation locally, nationally and
internationally; for education and the arts; a venue for national services and television and
radio broadcasts; and a focal point for the City, the region, and even for the world.
The Very Reverend John Irvine MA
Dean of Coventry
John Irvine, son of the late Rt. Hon Sir Arthur Irvine QC, MP and Lady Irvine, started
his career in law, practicing at the Bar until 1979, when he changed his life path to
follow his calling to ordination and attended Oxford University to read Theology. In
1981 he was ordained deacon and served at Holy Trinity Brompton for four years
where he helped to establish the 10 week Alpha Course. This is a short practical
introduction to the Christian faith that has now spread all over the world. He led the
first “church plant” from HTB in 1985 to St Barnabas, Kensington where he was
Vicar for 16 years.
He was appointed Dean of Coventry and Dean of the Community of the Cross of
Nails (CCN) in 2001 where, as the leader of the worshipping community at
Coventry Cathedral, John is responsible for vision, mission and outreach. He has a
high profile role within the City of Coventry and, as a member of the Bishop’s staff;
he also has a clear Diocesan role. The CCN role presents an international platform
through which John promotes the Cathedral as an International Centre of
Reconciliation, something he believes is ‘God’s thumbprint’ on the Cathedral, an
essential element of its DNA.
He is married to Andrea (also ordained). They have 4 grown up children and 6
grandchildren so far! His hobbies include chess, film and reading historical fiction.
John and the whole family are firm supporters of Tottenham Hotspur!