Bishop of Salisbury

The Rt Revd Stephen Lake was consecrated as the 79th Bishop of Salisbury during a service at Southwark Cathedral on 25 April 2022. He was later welcomed into the diocese during a service of Inauguration which took place on 19 June at Salisbury Cathedral.

Our new vision was endorsed in 2023. It is to 'make Jesus Christ known' in every place, so that all may flourish and grow, seeking his Kingdom here and now. This vision along with its 5 pathways, guide the work of the diocese for the next 10 years.

He was born and grew up in Poole, Dorset, and after working in Poole General Hospital and then serving as a Community Service Volunteer in London, he trained at Chichester Theological College. Stephen was ordained deacon in 1988 in our cathedral.

His curacy was at Sherborne Abbey with Castleton and Lillington, and he was ordained Priest in 1989 by Bishop John Kirkham. Bishop Stephen regularly wears Bishop John’s pectoral cross.

Stephen moved within the diocese to become Vicar of St Aldhelm’s, Branksome, Poole from 1992 and was appointed Rural Dean of Poole in 2000.

In 2001, Bishop Stephen was appointed Sub Dean of St Albans, caring for the largest regular cathedral congregation in England. He became Dean of Gloucester in 2011 and served as the Lead Dean for Safeguarding and as a Church Commissioner. During the pandemic, Bishop Stephen worked on the Church of England Emerging Church Steering Group.

Bishop Stephen has a Bachelor of Theology and has an MA in Theology, Politics and Faith Based Organisations from Kings College, London. He has written several books encouraging confirmation and liturgical practice. In 2016 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Gloucestershire for services to the City of Gloucester and only leaving to come to Salisbury, was made a Freeman of the City of Gloucester.

Bishop Stephen has been a member of the Scout Association since he was a Cub Scout.

He says: “It is such a privilege and a joy to be called back to the Diocese of Salisbury as Bishop. To be able to serve in the places that formed me will be something rare and special.”

Bishop Stephen is married to Carol, and they have three adult children.

See regular updates from Bishop Stephen and the diocese here.

How we welcomed Bishop Stephen

Two services took place to legally establish, celebrate and welcome Bishop Stephen’s appointment:

• The Consecration at Southwark Cathedral. Read the press release and see the photos taken on the day.

• The Service of Inauguration at Salisbury Cathedral. See the press release which outlines the highlights of the day and the meaningful ways the Bishop’s special interests and roots in Dorset were reflected in the service.

• Watch the full service on YouTube.

• See BBC South Today’s report on the service – includes footage of Bishop Stephen being interviewed; fast forward to 2mins 15 sec into the report.

• See more on the diocesan Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Instagram accounts.

Salisbury’s Got Talent – a gift and an invitation from Bishop Stephen

During his Service of Inauguration, Bishop Stephen preached on the Parable of the Talents (Luke 19 11-26) and surprised everyone at the service with a £10 gift in an envelope along with a message: “This £10 talent is for you to take home and to make it grow as a sign of the Kingdom of God.” Various suggestions of how that could be done were enclosed with the money, along with an invitation to share news with the Bishop of how people used their talent in the coming days and weeks.

Stories will be shared ongoing and on social media too, follow #salisburysgottalent to see how the £10 grows the Kingdom of God across the diocese and beyond.

Contact the Bishop’s Office

PA to the Bishop of Salisbury

Get in touch