Caroline Jane Baston (born 17 October 1956) is a Church of England priest. From 2006 to 2011, she served as Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight.
Early life and education
Baston was born on 17 October 1956.[1] She studied at the University of Birmingham, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1978 and a Certificate of Education (CertEd) in 1979.[2] She then began her first career as a mathematics teacher, working at a comprehensive school in inner-city Sandwell.[3]
In 1987, Baston entered Ripon College Cuddesdon, an Anglican theological college. There, she spent the next two years studying theology and training for ordination.[2]
Ordained ministry
Baston was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1989. From 1989 to 1994, she served as Parish Deacon of St Christopher's Church, Thornhill, Southampton.[2] In 1994, she was ordained as a priest; this was the first year that the Church of England ordained women to the priesthood and therefore she was one of its first female priests.[2][3] She was an Assistant Curate at St Christopher's, Thornhill, and then Rector of All Saints', Winchester with St Andrew's, Chilcomb.[4] She was appointed an honorary canon of Winchester Cathedral in 2000.[2]
Baston was Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight from 2006 until 2011.[5] On 3 October 2011, she was licensed as Transition Minister and Priest-in-charge of St Andrew's, North Swindon.[6] In November 2013, she was appointed Warden of the Community of St Mary the Virgin, an Anglican religious order.[2][7] She was appointed Master, Community of Hospital of St Nicholas, Salisbury, in 2021
References
- ^ Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black, 2008 ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
- ^ a b c d e f "Caroline Jane Baston". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ a b "New Isle of Wight Archdeacon to be Among First Women Priests". Christianity Today. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory 2008/2009 (100th edition), Church House Publishing (ISBN 978-0-7151-1030-0).
- ^ Diocese of Portsmouth – Island Archdeacon leaves..
- ^ North Swindon parish
- ^ "Photographs taken at the Blessing of the Ven Caroline Baston as Warden CSMV". Community of St Mary the Virgin. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2016.[permanent dead link]