Patron Saint

St. Nicholas (c.280-350)

Bishop of Myra, born and buried in Lycia.
Following a Moslem invasion of Turkey his coffin was transferred in 1087 to Bari in Italy.

The Patron of the Company

The Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby
His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury

The Visitor of the Company

The Rt. Revd. Rt. Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, BSc, MSc, DSc(Hon)
The Bishop of London

Although the Parish Clerks are proud of their long history, the Company is a group of men and women who are active in serving the Church in today's 21st century.

As members have to be appointed a Parish Clerk by the relevant incumbant and Parochial or Guild Church Council before they can join the Company, it is likely that they will be active in supporting their appointing parish and wider church in a variety of ways.

The role of the Parish Clerk has changed over the years but continues to be focused on what is relevant and appropriate for todays society.

The Clerk might be involved in:

• Leading worship

• Reading lessons or leading prayer

• Acting as verger, server or sidesman

• Playing the organ, leading or being part of a choir

• Giving administrative support, such as PCC Secretary or Treasurer

• Serving on the Parochial Church Council

• Bell ringing, flower arranging

The Parish Clerks' Company exists to support and encourage Clerks undertaking roles such as these and provides support for members to come together to worship, share fellowship and discuss mutual interests.

The Company also raises funds, either through investment, members donations or fund-raising activities to meet various charitable needs and requests.

Matters concerning the Company are overseen by the Master, Wardens and Court of Assistants, who are elected from the membership.

Court meetings are followed by a church service held in different churches and members then dine with guests in a celebration of fellowship. The day to day organisation of the Company is undertaken by the Clerk.

According to its Royal Charter, membership of the Company is limited to those who have been appointed by the parochial or guild church council and the incumbent to hold the office of parish clerk in certain ancient parishes in the City of London and its immediate suburbs.

At the time of the charter in 1639, under which the Company now acts, these consisted of 97 parishes within the walls, 16 parishes in the liberties (including 4 in the Borough of Southwark) and 1 (St Margaret's) in the City of Westminster and 15 parishes just outside the old City walls. 21 were added later so the number of members is limited to 150.

A candidate for admission is required to submit to the Court a completed application form and certificates of his or her appointment as a parish clerk. One certificate should be signed on behalf of the church council and the other by the appointing priest. These forms are available from the Clerk of the Company. A candidate should be proposed and seconded by two members of the Company, at least one of whom should be a member of the Court of Assistants.

It should be noted that a candidate must have been known their proposers for at least one year before an application for membership will be considered by the Court.

The Chaplains Departments of the Royal Navy, The Army and the RAF.

48F(Hampstead) Squadron ATC

MASTER

G. TATTERSALL KC

WARDENS
N. THOMSON

DR C.PODMORE MBE

ASSISTANTS (Master)
 R.M.J. STEWART (2005)
 Alderman Dr Sir A.C. PARMLEY  (2006)
 E.D. ROBERTS MA (2009)
  P. MAPLESTONE (2011)
  J.P.SHIELS (2012)
 Prof J.M. RAWLINGS (2013)
M.V. COOPER (2014)
M. C. WOODS (2015)
S.J. PLUMB (2017)
N. HULL (2019)
M. BROADWAY (2021)
A.S. MCMURTRIE
 P. PRITCHETT
F. KEATING 
J. BOWMAN
L. TARGET

A. HARGREAVES-SMITH

PAST MASTERS EMERITI
  Sir JOHN WELCH Bt, CStJ, MA, FRSA (1967)
 R.F.S. TOWNEND FLSM(CHM),LMus (2007)
 S.J.P. PRIDDLE ACIB (2010)
J.D. HEBBLETHWAITE OBE, BA (1998)
L.A. STONE CBE (2018)
D. POWELL FCCA (2001) 
C. J. HURRION (2016)

P.M.KENNERLEY (2008)

CLERK
MRS A.S. COOMBES