After a decade at the heart of island life – from Liberation Day commemorations to quiet moments with families at life’s most important milestones – Guernsey’s Dean has announced he will step down next summer.
The Very Revd Tim Barker, Dean of Guernsey, will retire on 31 July 2026, shortly before his 70th birthday, bringing to a close more than ten years of service in the Bailiwick.
Mr Barker and his wife, Judy, will then return to England.
Reflecting on his time overseeing 16 Anglican churches and 20 clergy, Mr Barker described his ministry in Guernsey, Alderney and Sark as “richly rewarding”.
It has been a great privilege to live and work in Guernsey
The Very Revd Tim Barker, retiring Dean of Guernsey
“It has been a great privilege to live and work in Guernsey for the past 10 years,” he said.
“Ministry here, and especially at St Andrew’s Church, where I have served as Rector, has been richly rewarding.”
He highlighted a number of moments that stood out during his time as Dean, including visits by members of the Royal Family, marking Liberation Day in Guernsey and Homecoming in Alderney, and visits to Biberach and Masnières with the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Trust.
Alongside his pastoral work, Mr Barker also chaired the boards of Elizabeth College and the Social Investment Fund, roles he described as among the many privileges of his time in office.
“But equally important to me have been the opportunities to minister to individuals, and to support families in times of joy and times of grief, at baptisms, marriages and funerals,” he added.
The Dean has formally written to the Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell, and the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake, confirming his decision.
The office of Dean of Guernsey is a Crown appointment, with the Dean holding the Bishop’s Commission. The process of appointing Mr Barker’s successor will begin in due course.
Tim has been an impressive leader of the Church of England in Guernsey as Dean for over a decade
Bishop Stephen Lake
Bishop Stephen said Mr Barker had been “an impressive leader of the Church of England in Guernsey” during his tenure as Dean.
He added that, while tributes and a farewell service – details of which will be announced at a later date – will come later, “it is business as usual until Tim and Judy take their leave of the Bailiwick”.
The Lieutenant-Governor also paid tribute, describing the Dean’s contribution as one of “great distinction”.
“The Dean has served the Bailiwick with great distinction over the last ten years, and I am grateful for his service in its fullest sense,” Sir Richard said.
“I wish him and Judy every happiness in the future.”
