People from parishes across Lancashire said farewell to the Archdeacon of Blackburn, the Venerable Mark Ireland, at a special service yesterday as he retired following many years serving the people of the County.

He has held the position of Archdeacon since February 2016, having initially been announced as taking up the role in November of 2015.

The retirement Evensong Service saw people from across the County and beyond come to Blackburn Cathedral to wish Mark and his wife, Gill Ireland, well. Most recently, Gill spent several years as Blackburn Diocese Mother's Union President. The couple will retire to Hellifield in Yorkshire.

• More pictures from the service can be found in an album on our Flickr site here

You can watch a recording of the service livestream here on the Cathedral's YouTube channel. The service, led by the Dean of Blackburn, Very Rev. Peter Howell-Jones, featured contributions from musicians of St Andrew’s Leyland and the new All Nations Worship Group from St Luke’s Brierfield and St Cuthbert’s Burnley. An offering was taken for the Gaza Appeal of the Friends of the Holy Land, a charity close to Mark’s heart.

Supporting Mark at his final service were the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev. Philip North; the Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff; the Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev. Dr Joe Kennedy and the Archdeacon of Lancaster, Ven. David Picken. Former senior clergy colleagues Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, retired Bishop of Blackburn and Rt Rev. Geoff Pearson, retired Bishop of Lancaster were also in attendance.

As Archdeacon of Blackburn for the past nine years, Mark has had special responsibility for the strategic delivery of the ‘Making Disciples’ arm of the Diocesan Vision 2026: Healthy Churches Transforming Communities.

He has also cared for, and worked closely with, churches from the Deaneries of Accrington, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Leyland, Pendle and Whalley as one of two Archdeacons in the Diocese; the other being Archdeacon David.

A parish priest at heart, Mark, 64, was ordained in Blackburn Cathedral in 1984 and in the subsequent 40 year period he served in parishes in Blackburn, Lancaster and Accrington, before moving to Lichfield Diocese as Diocesan Missioner; then a Vicar in Telford before returning to our Diocese in 2016 to become Archdeacon.

He is also co-author of a number of books on mission, spirituality and evangelism including, most recently, a booklet on the opportunities and risks of living in a digital world: ‘Surveillance Capitalism and the Loving Gaze of God’ (Grove Books, 2022).

Writing in the Order of Service for yesterday’s service, Mark commented: “I am grateful to the Dean and Chapter and all those contributing to this service in different ways, particularly our musicians from St Andrew’s Leyland and the new All Nations Worship Group from St Luke’s Brierfield and St Cuthbert’s Burnley.

“As Archdeacon it has been a real joy and privilege to support and serve local clergy and parishes in the work of growing new and deeper disciples for Jesus Christ. I rejoice to have served in a Diocese with so many healthy churches transforming their communities.

“It is very special to conclude my stipendiary ministry in the Cathedral where it began, when I was ordained Deacon here in 1984.”

A key moment in the service came towards the end when Bishop Philip led the farewells to Mark and Gill, during which presentations of gifts were made including from parishes across the Diocese. The couple were also presented with a beautiful picture of the Lancashire Three Peaks.

Bishop Philip said: “Thanks to you both for everything you have done and for keeping our eyes on Jesus. You have overseen a growth agenda impacting every area of Diocesan life with a passion for Christ who died on the cross. We will keep our eyes on Jesus when you have left.”

• To coincide with his retirement, Mark wrote a reflection on his time in the Diocese and there is a short accompanying farewell video. See here (YouTube) and on the Diocesan website for more on all of this.

Captions for above pictures, top to bottom:
Photos credited to Sara Cuff for Blackburn Diocese

• Mark and Gill Ireland are pictured with (l-r) Bishop Joe, Bishop Philip and Bishop Jill after the service.
• Mark and Gill Ireland pictured receiving their retirement gift as the service draws to a close.

Ronnie Semley, April 2025