Fergus Butler-Gallie

The Reverend
Fergus Butler Gallie
Born1992 (age 33–34)
EducationSt John's College, Oxford
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
OccupationsPriest, ecclesiastical author, and writer of newspaper articles
SpouseMadeline Grant
Ecclesiastical career
ReligionAnglican Christianity
ChurchChurch of England

Fergus Butler-Gallie (born 1992) is an Anglican priest who is currently vicar of Charlbury at its Church of St. Mary and at its nearby All Saints' Church, Shorthampton. He is notable for his 2018 book A Field Guide to the English Clergy.

Early life

Butler-Gallie grew up in Bethersden, Kent. He was educated at Tonbridge School, and at St John's College, Oxford, where he read history and Czech-Slovak. He then trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge, while studying for another degree in theology at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He has taught at the College of the Transfiguration, at Rhodes University in South Africa, and lived in the Czech Republic.

Ordained ministry

Butler-Gallie was ordained, first as a deacon and then as a priest, in the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool, when he was aged 26 years, and served his curacy at Liverpool Parish Church. He then served as assistant chaplain at his alma mater Tonbridge School, until, on 17 January 2024, he was appointed vicar of Charlbury, Oxfordshire, at its Church of St. Mary and at its nearby All Saints' Church, Shorthampton.

Writing

Butler-Gallie is known publicly for his ecclesiastical books and newspaper articles. They include:

He was the 2023 winner of the P. G. Wodehouse Society's essay-competition, for his essay "The Hour Breeds Thought - Night Time in the Stories of P. G. Wodehouse".

Personal life

Butler-Gallie is married to the journalist Madeline Grant. She is the daughter of the journalist Sally Jones and is now Assistant Editor of The Spectator.

In 2014, prior to his ordination, Butler-Gallie featured on Series 10 Episode 3 of the quiz-show Only Connect, as a member of 'The Wandering Minstrels'.

References

  1. 1 2 "Tonbridge welcomes Fergus Butler-Gallie as Assistant Chaplain". www.tonbridge-school.co.uk. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "New glossary to help with traditional words in Book of Common Prayer". Premier Christian News. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "Millennial priest opens up on hungover church services". Kent Online. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  4. ↑ liverpoolparishchurchadmin (12 April 2022). "New Curate". Liverpool Parish Church. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "New Vicar installed! – St. Marys & All Saints". 18 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Appointments". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "Who We Are – St. Marys & All Saints". Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie appointed as Vicar of Charlbury | charlbury.info". www.charlbury.info. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Fergus Butler-Gallie | Penguin Random House". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  10. ↑ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2018). A Field Guide to the English Clergy. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-78607-574-1.
  11. ↑ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2019). Priests de la Resistance!. Oneworld Publications. ISBN 978-1786076724.
  12. ↑ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2024). Touching Cloth: Confessions and communions of a young priest. Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-1529176117.
  13. ↑ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2025). Twelve Churches: An unlikely history of the buildings that made Christianity. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-1399731300.
  14. ↑ "Essay Prize". The P. G. Wodehouse Society (UK). Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  15. 1 2 "The Rev F.B. Butler-Gallie and Miss M.M.W. Grant The Telegraph, 'Announcements'". announcements.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  16. ↑ Times, The (27 June 2025). "Births, marriages and deaths: June 28, 2025". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  17. ↑ "Ex-Birmingham schoolgirl who boasted about her breasts in election flyer fined by Oxford University". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  18. ↑ "Long live death's dark humour, by Madeline Grant". The Spectator. September 2026.
  19. ↑ "BBC Two - Only Connect, Series 10, Wandering Minstrels v Gallifreyans". BBC. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  20. ↑ Stephen Griffin (3 November 2014). The Wandering Minstrels return on Only Connect!. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via YouTube.