New Canon Precentor ready to get to work at Lichfield Cathedral
The new Canon Precentor, responsible for the organisation and delivery of worship, has been installed at Lichfield Cathedral
A new leader for organising and overseeing the delivery of worship at Lichfield Cathedral has taken up his post.
More than 150 people gathered at the cathedral on Sunday (June 7) for the installation of the new Canon Precentor, Dr Jonathan Bish, who joins the cathedral after serving for the past three years as vicar of the United Benefice of Batley in West Yorkshire.
The role of Canon Precentor is central to the cathedral’s worshipping life, with responsibility for organising and overseeing the delivery of the cathedral’s regular pattern of worship, around 23 services each week, as well as major celebrations such as Easter, Advent and Christmas, which together welcome tens of thousands of worshippers each year.
Within the cathedral, the Dean is the head clergy in charge of the whole cathedral, while canons serve within the cathedral under various titles.
The Canon Precentor oversees Music and Liturgy (Worship), while the Canon Chancellor oversees community engagement and historical collections.
A keen choral singer, the canon said he had previously deputised as a tenor at Wakefield Cathedral, bringing both pastoral and musical experience to his new role.
Speaking after the service, Canon Bish said: “I am delighted to be joining Lichfield Cathedral and very much look forward to working alongside the team, continuing to deliver the high‑quality worship for which Lichfield is so well known.”
The Dean of Lichfield, Jan McFarlane, welcomed Jonathan’s arrival, saying: “On behalf of the cathedral and the diocese, I am delighted to welcome Jonathan.
“His passion for worship and his enthusiasm for choral music mean he is exceptionally well placed to lead and sustain our busy rhythm of services.
“I warmly invite everyone to join ‘your cathedral’, particularly for our beautiful services of Choral Evensong, a moment of calm and peace in a busy world, an no previous experience of church required.”
Further information about worship at Lichfield Cathedral, including service times, can be found on the cathedral website.
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