Dr Graham Tomlin, Principal of St Paul’s Theological Centre based at Holy Trinity Brompton, has been appointed to a prestigious additional role by the Bishops of London and Chelmsford.

Dr Tomlin is to be head of a new training college ‘aimed at strengthening the church’s mission in the dioceses of London and Chelmsford’.

The new college, which will be named St Mellitus College, will incorporate the North Thames Ministerial Training Course and the St Paul’s Theological Centre ‘into one overarching institution’.

Dr Tomlin, whose official title will be Dean of the new college, will continue to oversee all the training courses currently offered by the St Paul’s Theological Centre.

The bishops’ announcement, made earlier this month, added that they hoped the new college would grow. ‘There is a strong hope for the future that other training institutions within the region will be incorporated into the College, and that it will also strengthen the ecumenical training links in the area,’ the announcement said. Bishop of London

The new college will offer opportunities for students to train for ordination as well as ‘give greater flexibility for serving wider training needs and open up the possibility of new forms of training for ordination, post ordination and lay training within the region’s growing church.’

The announcement continued, ‘The new Dean, along with the two Bishops will be responsible for ensuring that St Mellitus College provides training that represents a generous Christian orthodoxy and allows for all mainstream traditions of the Church to have proper recognition and provision within the training.’

Graham Tomlin said, ‘The new St Mellitus College is an exciting prospect for both the dioceses of London and Chelmsford as it will provide a large, flexible and highly qualified training network across our region.

Bishop of Chelmsford‘It is now possible for us to build upon the excellent training platform already established within the dioceses thus enabling them to be able to better resource the mission of the Church across Essex and London.’

The Bishops said, ‘We are delighted that the dioceses of Chelmsford and London have been able to form a strong collaborative relationship, which will better serve the needs of our region’s growing Church.

The formation of St Mellitus College is a strategic step in ensuring that both dioceses are well equipped in the continued delivery of exceptional ministerial training.’