The Archbishop of Canterbury seeks to appoint a Rector for the benefice of Barham Downs with Adisham and Aylesham. This is a predominantly rural benefice to the south east of Canterbury. The benefice contains six parish churches. Five of these are in villages and one in the former mining town of Aylesham. There is a lively and committed team of volunteer leaders around the benefice. Aylesham benefits from the presence of a full-time mission priest (who is legally an Assistant Curate in the benefice) who is an experienced and committed colleague and whose ministry is based in Aylesham, which is a town with high levels of deprivation.
The vision of the benefice is to Know God, to Share the Love of God and to Grow the Kingdom and the churches and congregations recognise the need to be united in vision and purpose; growing in faith together; ensuring that everyone feels valued; able to share their own gifts and talents; and accepting of all people as part of the body of Christ.
Could this be you?
The benefice is seeking a priest, a pastor and a leader to work with them to lead them into a period of growth. The benefice profile contains information about the parish, its challenges and opportunities and what we are looking for in a new Rector. For an informal conversation please contact the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable Dr Will Adam, via Caroline Hemington (chemington@diocant.org 01227 473597) to arrange an appointment.
Closing Date: Tuesday 15 September 2026
Interview Date: Thursday 8 October 2026
The priest appointed to this role must be ordained in the Church of England, or in a Church in communion with it, and must have successfully completed a training post with the appropriate sign-offs required to apply for an incumbency or other ordained role.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and does not currently qualify for visa sponsorship.
The priest appointed will serve as an office holder under Common Tenure, and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations will apply.