Sheffield Cathedral is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Genevieve Langdon as the first Sub-Prior of the Community of St Paulinus (CsP).
The Community of St Paulinus will be a non-residential mission community rooted in the rhythm of prayer and sacramental worship at the Cathedral. Its purpose is to form, support, and send missioners to work in partnership with under-resourced parishes across Sheffield, helping to plant and renew worshipping communities in some of the most diverse and economically deprived areas of the city.
Dr Langdon brings a combination of academic distinction, ministerial leadership, and lived experience to this new role. A Professor of Engineering at the University of Sheffield and a self-supporting ordinand currently training for incumbent-level priesthood, she has already made a significant contribution to the Cathedral’s mission and worshipping life. She said: "I’m honoured to be invited into this role at such a hopeful and creative moment in the life of the Cathedral and Diocese. The vision for the Community of St Paulinus resonates deeply with my own calling—to help shape spaces where prayer, justice and new worshipping communities can grow together.”
As Sub-Prior, Dr Langdon will work closely with Canon Justin Dodd, Canon Missioner and Prior of the CsP, to design and implement the formation programme, coordinate parish partnerships, and lead in the planting of new worshipping communities. Her appointment marks the first milestone in the Cathedral’s vision to grow as a resourcing cathedral shaped by contemplation, sacrament, justice, and partnership.
The Very Revd Abi Thompson, The Dean of Sheffield Cathedral said:
"I’m delighted to welcome Dr Genevieve Langdon into this new role. The Community of St Paulinus is an ambitious and hopeful initiative that reflects our calling as the Mother Church for the whole Diocese. Genevieve brings a rare combination of theological insight, practical experience and simple determination, and I look forward to seeing her help bring this vision to life in partnership with others."
The Revd Canon Justin Dodd, Canon Missioner and Prior of the CsP said:
"Genevieve’s appointment marks an important step in the unfolding life of the Community of St Paulinus. She brings a thoughtful, grounded and collaborative approach to leadership, with a deep commitment to prayer, formation and the realities of urban mission. One of the hopes for the CsP has always been to identify and form missional leaders from within the Diocese of Sheffield, and it’s encouraging to see that vision begin to take shape in this appointment. I’m looking forward to working alongside Genevieve as we build the community and serve our parish partners with humility and hope."
We are excited to welcome Genevieve formally into post in September 2025, and we commend her to your prayers as she prepares to begin this significant new ministry.