Jobs

Custos to St Mary’s Hospital Almshouses

St Mary’s Hospital is seeking to recruit a Custos (Chaplain) following the retirement of the current post holder Canon Bruce Ruddock. 

St Mary’s Hospital is a Christian foundation which has been providing accommodation in the heart of Chichester for nearly 800 years.  Currently the Almshouses have 39 residents, most of whom have reached retirement age, who live independently in self-contained accommodation.

Location:  St Mary’s Hospital Almshouses, St Martin’s Square, Chichester

Hours:  17.5 per week (0.5 of Full Time Equivalent)

Salary:  £27,000 FTE, paid on pro rata basis = £13,500 p.a.

Contract:  Permanent

Benefits:  The post holder will be offered a tenancy of a suitable property in the vicinity of the Almshouses at an affordable rent, should accommodation be required.

Significant dates/Application Process:

Please complete and submit an application form to hr@chichestercathedral.org.uk

Closing date:  midnight Sunday 23rd July.

Interview date:  Monday 7th August

The Role

Christian worship has been at the heart of St Mary’s throughout its history and the role of the Custos will be to sustain and build on this tradition.  Specifically, the Custos will conduct weekday services in the Hospital’s ancient Chapel and provide pastoral and spiritual support to residents who come from a broad range of Christian traditions.  

The Custos will be expected to work closely with the Scheme Manager and her Deputy who provide day to day operational management of the Almshouses, to promote the welfare of residents and to enhance the quality of community life within the scheme.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced priest in Anglican orders and will need to be licenced to officiate within the Chichester Diocese.

About the Organisation

St Mary’s is an independent charity with long established links to Chichester Cathedral. The Board of Trustees is chaired by the Reverend Simon Holland, the Interim Dean of the Cathedral.  In recent years the Charity has embarked upon a process of modernisation and has ambitions to build on its long legacy of providing accommodation and support to vulnerable people who are vulnerable.  

Applicants who wish to have an informal discussion about the role are welcome to contact the Clerk to the Trustees  ivan.western@stmarysalmshouses.org.uk