New Rector for St Botolph’s without Aldgate

Photo Credit: Graham Lacdao

Bishop of London presides over ceremony

09/11/09

A former Minor Canon and Sacrist of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Revd Laura Burgess has been made the new Rector of St Botolph’s without Aldgate.

The Church is in an important location, bridging the poorest of London’s boroughs and one of the world’s leading financial centres.

Speaking about her new role, the Revd Burgess said:

"Having spent five fulfilling years as Minor Canon at St Paul’s I am very much looking forward to returning to parish ministry as Rector of St Botolph’s, a bridge parish between the City and the East End.

"St Botolph’s is a vibrant, lively congregation and I look forward to being a part of the wonderful work they do on behalf of the local community."

The ceremony for the Revd Laura Burgess included the Collation, which was performed by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres who is patron of the church, and the Induction, performed by the Archdeacon of London, the Venerable David Meara.

The Bishop of London said:

"Laura will bring the rich tradition of St Paul’s cathedral with her to St Botolph’s Aldgate; a church with enormous possibilities. It has a crypt that is ripe for development sitting right at the heart of the community with an important link to the City of London."

About the Revd Laura Burgess

The Revd Laura Burgess spent five years as a Minor Canon and Sacrist of St Paul’s Cathedral. At the Cathedral she was responsible for the co-ordination of the daily liturgy and ceremonials and organizing the special services which take place at the Cathedral through the year. Laura was responsible for the Tsunami memorial service which was broadcast live by the BBC and for many other services of national importance, including the 200th anniversary celebrations for Battle of Trafalgar, and most recently the 70th Anniversary of the Evacuation which brought Evacuees from around the world, together to remember their life changing experiences during the Second World War.

Laura was born in rural Cambridgeshire before moving to London to read Geology at Imperial College. Having trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon and the Graduate School at the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland, she was ordained in 2000 to St Albans Diocese, serving curacies at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, and Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead before moving to St Paul’s Cathedral as Minor Canon and Sacrist in 2004.