Bishop of Bath and Wells
The Bishop of Bath and Wells heads the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells in the Province of Canterbury in England.
Bishop of Bath and Wells | |
|---|---|
| Bishopric | |
| anglican | |
Arms of the Bishop of Bath and Wells: Azure, a saltire per saltire quarterly quartered or and argent | |
| Incumbent: Michael Beasley | |
| Location | |
| Ecclesiastical province | Canterbury |
| Residence | Bishop's Palace, Wells |
| Information | |
| First holder | Athelm |
| Established | 909 |
| Diocese | Bath and Wells |
| Cathedral | Wells Cathedral |
| Website | |
| www | |
The present diocese covers the overwhelmingly greater part of the (ceremonial) county of Somerset and a small area of Dorset. The Episcopal seat is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in the city of Wells in Somerset.
The bishop is one of two (the other is the Bishop of Durham) who escort the sovereign at the coronation.
The Bishop's residence is The Palace, Wells. In late 2013 the Church Commissioners announced that they were purchasing the Old Rectory, a Grade II-listed building in Croscombe for the Bishop's residence. However this decision was widely opposed, including by the Diocese, and in May 2014 was overturned by a committee of the Archbishops' Council.