About Us

Clergy

Rector and Team Vicar. Following recent retirements, these positions are currently vacant.

The Revd Jennifer Brown is a self-supporting Associate Priest in the parish. She is the Director of Training for the College of Preachers, an ecumenical charity that supports preachers and promotes excellence in preaching. Jennifer is also a theological educator, having taught at Ripon College Cuddesdon for 12 years where she was Director of the Cuddesdon School of Theology and Ministry. Prior to coming to Abingdon, she ministered in the Churn Benefice, where she was Science Missioner, and she continues to have a strong interest in the relationship between science and theology. In 2023, Jennifer completed a PhD in the Psychology of Religion, with research focused on the relationship between religion and morality. As well as her interest in science and faith, Jennifer is interested in Christianity and the arts and enjoys both reading and writing poetry. She is passionate about care for creation and animal welfare, and helping people to explore what the Christian faith teaches about these things.Read more

The Revd Dr A. K. M. Adam (known as ‘AKMA’) is a semi-retired theological educator and Associate Priest in the parish. He continues to teach New Testament studies at Oriel College, Oxford and to write articles and books on the New Testament and interpretation theory. He has served parishes and cathedrals in Glasgow, Evanston (Illinois), Princeton (New Jersey), St Petersburg (Florida), and New Haven (Connecticut), and has taught at Oxford, the University of Glasgow, Duke University, Princeton Theological Seminary, among others. His academic work focuses on the Gospel of Matthew, the Epistle of James, and interpretation theory. He collects fountain pens and 19th-century Belgian holy cards. He and Dr Margaret Adam have three children and two grandchildren in the USA, and two small dogs here in Abingdon. Read more

Licensed Lay Minister

Gwen Bevington is a Licensed Lay Minister in the parish, having been licensed as a Reader in St Alban’s Diocese in 1997. She preaches from time to time in all three churches and leads non-eucharistic services. She is passionate about relating theology to life as we live it, bringing together biblical insight and our life now in a way that we experience as present and authentic, with space for God to touch us. She serves as a Steward in St Helen’s church, also a Verger for some weddings and funerals, and has recently become Parish Baptism Co-ordinator, liaising with parents and young people as they come to start their Christian journey. Read more

Administrative Staff

Mrs Jackie Cunningham is the Parish Administrator and the Parish Office is open to the public Monday to Thursday each week from 10.00am to 1.00pm. The Parish Office can be contacted either by telephone (01235 520144) or email.

Wardens

• David Pope, Margaret Horton (St Helen's)
• Joyce Kelly, Louise Heffernan (St Michael's)
• Eluned Hallas, Paul Rast-Lindsell (St Nicolas')

Communications to the St Helen's Church Wardens should be directed through the Parish Office, St Helen's Court, Abingdon OX14 5BS, or by email .

We are also served and supported by a team of honorary clergy.