We are pleased to announce that the Bishop of Southwark has appointed the Revd Canon Philippa Boardman MBE to the post of Priest in Charge of St
Mary Magdalene, Wandsworth Common in the Deanery of Tooting.
Philippa is Canon Treasurer of St Paul’s Cathedral. She has previously served in a parish in Walthamstow in the Chelmsford diocese and parishes in
Hackney and Tower Hamlets in the London diocese, including several years as Vicar of Old Ford in Bow in East London.
Philippa’s last Sunday at St Paul’s will after Easter and she will be licensed at St Mary Magdalene by the Bishop of Southwark at the end of May or
the beginning of June.
Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral The Very Revd Dr David Ison said: ‘Philippa has been a great colleague over the last four years, and we will all
miss her energy, cheerfulness and dedication. She has worked tirelessly as Treasurer, overseeing on behalf of Chapter the co-ordination and running
of numerous and important projects from disabled access and uprating security to the 18-month Chapter House renovation, much-needed roof repairs,
and the nine-month renovation of the Crypt shop, WCs and staff facilities, as well as chairing and attending countless committee meetings, and
representing the Cathedral in the outside world.
‘She has particularly brought a heart for mission and inclusion, and a creativity and pastoral warmth which have touched the lives of many inside
and beyond St Paul's. We are delighted with her that her gifts and experience will be further developed in Wandsworth, and that the church and
people there will benefit from her energy and wisdom.’
The Revd Canon Philippa Boardman said: 'I am delighted to be appointed as the new parish priest at St Mary Magdalene Wandsworth Common. The
church has a strong tradition of prayer and outreach to the two major institutions within the parish, HMP Wandsworth and Springfield University NHS
Trust hospital. I have been inspired throughout my ministry in seeing the love, hope and joy of Jesus Christ transforming individuals and
communities in places of struggle and challenge.
'Our prison service and health service are such key foundations of our national life and yet face unprecedented challenges at this time. I look
forward to serving with all God's people in Wandsworth to support this vital work as the church seeks to be a beacon of faith in the local
community and beyond.
‘I will miss the many gifted and compassionate staff, volunteers and worshippers with whom I have served at St Pauls Cathedral as you remain in my
prayers for all that the future holds.'
Alison Longworth and Elizabeth Rackow, Churchwardens at St Mary Magdalene, said: 'We feel truly blessed by Philippa’s appointment - she is all
that we have been looking for. She is a priest who loves being in London, is sociable, visible and has spiritual energy.
'Philippa has the wisdom to develop our mission and engagement with both the leafy equilibrium and the public institutions of HMP Wandsworth and
Springfield University Hospital which characterise our parish. She brings experience and enthusiasm to the exciting re-ordering and redevelopment
of our buildings, critical to the realisation of our mission.
'You might say we were looking for the impossible: the power of prayer once again shows that with God nothing is impossible.'
Biographical details
St Paul’s Canon Treasurer is responsible for the finance and fabric. Philippa was among the first group of women priests to be ordained at St
Paul’s Cathedral in 1994. She served two curacies in the Dioceses of Chelmsford and London. From 1996 - 2003 she was first Priest-in-Charge at Old
Ford St Paul and St Mark and then Vicar (2003-2012). In 2011 she was awarded the MBE for Services to Heritage in East London in recognition of her
work to renovate and re-open the parish church at Old Ford.
She is a regular speaker at church and urban regeneration conferences. Philippa has served on the General Synod of the Church of England since 1994
and as a Member of the Church of England Church Buildings Council from 2009 - 2014. She is also a trustee of MANNA (the Mozambique and Angola
Anglican Association) and an Assessor of the Peache Trust.
