Every year, the Archdeacons hold Visitation services across the diocese in order to formally admit all elected churchwardens as office holders of the diocesan bishop.
At the Visitation services the archdeacons welcome, encourage and prepare the churchwardens for the coming year. The services are important events in the life of the diocese as they allow churchwardens the opportunity to dedicate themselves to the service of Christ in the company of others who are taking on the same responsibility.
This year the Archdeacons will hold the Visitations at three locations, with our primary occasion for admission taking place at Liverpool Cathedral presided by Bishop Ruth.
It is vital that churchwardens attend one of the below services so that they can be admitted to office – otherwise they will not officially be churchwardens. The services are open to churchwardens from any deanery. If churchwardens cannot make any of these dates, they must inform the Archdeacons’ Office by emailing the Archdeacons’ Senior Assistant: amy.fife@liverpool.anglican.org before 31st August 2026.
We would warmly encourage clergy and sidespeople to come along to support their churchwardens.
Primary Service for Admission
| Sunday 21 June 2026 | 3.00 pm | Liverpool Cathedral | Presided by Bishop Ruth |
Alternative Services
For those genuinely unable to attend the Cathedral service:
| Wednesday 24 June 2026 | 7.00 pm | St John, Pemberton | Presided by Archdeacon Simon Fisher |
| Sunday 28 June 2026 | 6.30 pm | All Saints, Rainford | Presided by Archdeacon Simon Fisher |
Dates of 2026 Visitations
Copies of the full set of Visitation papers will be emailed out to clergy, churchwardens, secretaries and treasurers by the end of March. We are often contacted by people to say that they have not received the paperwork, only to find the email has gone into their junk folder. Please do check your junk folder in the first instance.
The Archdeacon(s) will be available after the services and will be very happy to speak with any churchwardens (especially those who are taking on the responsibility for the first time). If churchwardens have issues they wish to discuss more fully, the Archdeacons will always be happy to meet with them separately. Appointments can be arranged by emailing their Senior Assistant: amy.fife@liverpool.anglican.org