Who's who & The PCC
Our Ministry Team
Fr. Phil Ritchie, Vicar
Fr. Phil has been Vicar at St Mary’s Primrose Hill since Advent 2023. He is passionate about the life of the local church in all its variety especially our worship and prayer life together and our commitment to social justice. He is a governor at St Paul’s school, which is just across the road, and a Trustee of Mary’s Charity, which is a specialist beacon for young people affected by serious youth violence. Phil is a novice tertiary Franciscan and a member of the Sodality of Mary Mother of Priests.
Before coming to Primrose Hill, Phil was vicar of St Mary and St John Oxford on the Cowley Road. In Oxford they set up a tea party for those struggling with mental health issues and he learnt more about mental health as part of life in the local community. In Oxford he was an area interfaith advisor and worked with local faith communities to build a sense of local community.
Before Oxford, Phil was vicar of All Saints Hove where they ran a night shelter and a youth club. All the churches he has served have been members of inclusive church or an equivalent organisation. Before moving to Hove, Phil was priest in charge at St Wilfrid’s Chichester and curate at St Nicholas Brighton.
Both of Phil’s parents were ordained. He believes in a church which is fully inclusive, which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate. His priestly formation took place at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield where he studied at Leeds he studied for an MA in Theology. Phil did an MA in Renaissance English Literature at Sussex University'; his first degree was in Politics and Religion at Manchester. Phil taught RE and Sociology for two years near Bolton and went to teach English in Nachingwea, Tanzania with VSO.
Phil is married to Paula, who teaches up the road at All Saints Primary School, Child’s Hill. They have three grown up children: Lucy, Sophia and Bea/Alan. His hobbies include reading and going to the theatre. Phil’s not a great gardener, but enjoys a good walk and a beer.
Revd Mark Wakefield
Part Time Assistant Priest
Revd Miriam Rinsler
Part Time Assistant Priest
Roberta Berke
Reader
Parochial Church Council (PCC)