John Irvine (priest)
John Dudley Irvine (2 January 1949 – 11 October 2025) was a British Anglican priest.
Biography
Irvine was born on 2 January 1949,[1] the son of former Labour MP and Solicitor General Sir Arthur Irvine, QC and the brother of Michael Irvine, a former Conservative Party MP for Ipswich. He was educated at Haileybury and studied law at the University of Sussex, later studying theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.[1]
He was a barrister in London before his ordination to the priesthood. He served a curacy at Holy Trinity Brompton and was one of the founders of the Alpha course.[2] Having taken charge of the Alpha course, he played a major part in transforming it from its original four-week form to its current 10-week form.
In 1985 Irvine led the first "church plant" from HTB to St Barnabas Kensington.
Irvine was appointed Dean of Coventry in March 2001.[2] He retired on 29 July 2012.[3][4] He was then associate vicar at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge from September 2012 until 2016, and remained until his death Dean Emeritus of Coventry.[1]
Irvine died on 11 October 2025, at the age of 76.[5]
Styles
- The Reverend John Irvine (1981–2001)
- The Very Reverend John Irvine (2001–2025)
References
- ^ a b c "Irvine, Very Rev. John Dudley". Who's Who 2024 online. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U41563. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ a b "New dean for Coventry Cathedral speaks of "Alpha"". Anglican Communion Office. 11 April 2001. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
- ^ "Church Times gazette". Church Times. 18 November 2011. p. 32. #7757.
- ^ Cross of Nails – Dean of Coventry to move on
- ^ "Deaths". Church Times. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.