In memoriam: Chris Beales

Chris gained a BA through St John’s in 1972, and began his training for ordination at Cranmer Hall that same year. He served in a range of roles nationally, including stints back in the region as Industrial Chaplain in Durham Diocese 1979-1984 and Director of the Churches’ Regional Commission 1994-1998. He returned to the North East in 2017 when he retired from public ministry, and became a Visiting Fellow of St John’s. He remained very active and was one of the Commissioners for the Archbishops’ Commission on Housing, Church and Community, continuing to work on the implementation of the Commission's recommendations after its report Coming Home was published.

Former Principal of St John’s, the Revd Prof David Wilkinson, commented: ‘St John’s as a College was blessed by having Chris Beales as student, as alumnus, and as Visiting Fellow. An outstanding entrepreneur whose bold vision was matched by strategic wisdom, limitless energy and enthusiasm and a generosity which drew others in. Inspired and sustained by an encounter with the love of God in Jesus, he saw and lived the Kingdom of God both in and far beyond the church.’

The Warden of Cranmer Hall, the Revd Dr Nick Moore, added ‘Chris was small in stature but a giant in personality, with an infectious sense of the possible and an imaginative, can-do attitude informed by a wealth of experience in actually getting things done. As Visiting Fellow he was a positive presence in College, known and recognized by a wide range of staff and students. He presented on and advocated for his housing work in a way that enriched and enthused our students’ training.’

We thank God for his life, faith, and ministry, and remember his wife and family at this time of mourning.