Meet the Clergy

We have a talented Clergy team which includes our Team Rector, Revd Canon Philip Ritchie, Revd Katie de Bourcier, our Curate and our Associate Ministers,  Revd Canon Dr Roger Matthews and Revd Canon Dr Graham Hamborg. We also rely on Revd Sandy Southee and Revd Tim Pigrem, both of whom have Permisison to Officiate at services.

In addition to our Clergy we are grateful for the commitment and expertise of many lay people who offer wholehearted service to God in a variety of ways. Our Clergy include;


Revd Canon Philip Ritchie - Team Rector

I was ordained in 1987 following a brief career in banking and a period playing drums in a rock band engaged in schools and university missions. I studied Theology at Durham University before going on to ordination training at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. All of my ordained ministry has been in the Chelmsford Diocese including my curacy in Chadwell St Mary. I then served as Curate in Charge of St Lawrence Ninefields, a church plant that is part of the Waltham Abbey Team Ministry. Towards the end of my time in Waltham Abbey I married Kate and we moved to Barking and Dagenham where I became Team Rector of the Becontree West Team Ministry. It was while in Becontree that our two children, Kristin and Daniel were born. In 2001 I began work for the Diocese of Chelmsford with responsibility for lay education and training and stayed in that post for ten years. Then in 2011 God called us to come to Great Baddow along with our dog Bramble and six chickens (sadly no longer with us thanks to a visit from a local fox). My interests include trying to play the guitar, most sports that involve chasing or hitting a ball, all things Manchester Utd and writing a blog.

As a family we really love being part of a lively, thriving church and parish and sharing in ministry with a gifted and diverse team of lay and ordained people, as we seek to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to the people of Great Baddow.

Revd Katie de Bourcier - Curate

I was ordained in July 2012, following over 17 years in the Civil Service, where I worked mainly in human resources and corporate services management. I trained for ordination on the North Thames Ministerial Training Course in Chelmsford, which is part of St Mellitus College.  Before moving here, I lived in Braintree and worshipped at St Mary's, Stebbing.  I was keen to stay in Chelmsford Diocese and I'm very pleased to have come to Great Baddow to serve my curacy.  Most of my free time is taken up in riding my horse, Toby, and training together for dressage.   Apart from that, my interests include reading, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.

I'm very excited to be here at St Mary's as part of my ongoing ministerial training, and to have the opportunity of contributing to church life here as together we work to share the good news of Jesus with those around us.


Revd Canon Dr Graham Hamborg - Associate Minister

I have been in ordained ministry since 1977, in parish ministry until a few years ago. I was a curate in Birmingham, then a team vicar in Slough, then a vicar in Twyford, Berkshire. My wife Ruth and I came to Chelmsford in 2004 so that I could take a post with the Diocese of Chelmsford as a Continuing Ministerial Development Adviser – that means that I provide in-service training for clergy and other licensed ministers. A main part of my work is to arrange a programme of training for the curates of the diocese. I also teach Old Testament to ordinands and readers-in-training at St Mellitus College, which serves Chelmsford and London dioceses. Hobbies include keeping hens, playing my 60s and 70s rock music loud when no-one else is around and walking holidays. My wife Ruth teaches at Brentwood School. We have five adult children, Jo, Pete, Chloë, Rosie and Rob.

Ever since we arrived here we have valued the worship at St Mary’s – relaxed, contemporary, dignified, all ages represented. It has been a pleasure and privilege both to receive much and to contribute to its life and ministry.

Revd Canon Dr Roger Matthews - Associate Minister

I was ordained in 1989 having had a career in IT consultancy and management. My first role was as Curate here in Great Baddow. We moved away in 1993 when I was appointed Vicar in Chigwell Row and then returned to Chelmsford when I was appointed to my first diocesan role as Mission Officer. We were then living in Great Leighs but it was not too long before the opportunity arose to move back into Baddow. For the last 10 years I have been the Diocesan Director for Mission and Ministry leading a team responsible for education, training and mission development. I am a member of the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team and hold responsibility for world mission and our international Companion Links in Kenya, Sweden, Romania and Trinidad & Tobago. I have a particular interest in leadership development and I am a member of the Church of England’s Anglican Communion and World Mission Panel.

The members and leaders of St Mary’s have been a huge encouragement to us as a family, Di now serves as a member of the Ministry Leadership Team and our grown-up children maintain strong links here. I count it a great privilege to be based here.
Revd Sandy Southee - Permission to Officiate
The call to ordained ministry was an exciting call late in life for me.  I was ordained, aged 57, in 2000 and served my curacy at St. Michael’s Galleywood and St. John’s Moulsham.  At the same time I was serving as an Anglican chaplain in the Mid-Essex Health Trust (having worked as a nurse in the same Trust) so working part-time unpaid in the Church.  I became an Associate Minister at St. John’s Church in 2004, after which I had a spell just working as a hospital chaplain before I came to St. Mary’s as Associate Minister in 2007.  It has been a great joy to return to our home church with my husband Pete.  We’ve been married 46 years and have 3 children, a daughter-in-law, son-in-law and 5 grandchildren.  My main interests are my family and friends.  I enjoy holidays with Pete and riding on the back of his motor-bike!  I love reading, journaling, keeping the family photos and helping out in the garden. 

I’m immensely grateful to Pete for his love and support in my present role and for the love I share with family, friends and congregation.  It’s great to be part of the Great Baddow Team Ministry and an all-age congregation that loves Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and wants to share the good news of His love with those around us.

At the beginning of September 2012 Sandy retired from her role as Associate Minister at St Mary’s. Sandy and Pete continue to worship at St Mary’s and the Bishop has granted Sandy Permission to Officiate.
Revd Tim Pigrem - Permission to Officiate