Mr. Martin Castledine
Dean's Verger
Mr. Martin Castledine is Dean's Verger at Westminster Abbey. Having recently celebrated his 40th anniversary of being a verger, Mr. Castledine's resume includes some truly extraordinary experiences. Mr. Castledine began his ministry and career as a verger at the age of 16 at Coventry Cathedral. With his title of Assistant Verger, Mr. Castledine was officially the youngest verger in the country at that time.
After his time serving at Coventry Cathedral, Mr. Castledine's ministry as an Assistant Verger continued at Southwark Cathedral in south London. During his tenure there, he was appointed Canons' Verger and led in the stead of the Head Verger in his absence.
In the mid-nineties, Mr. Castledine was offered the opportunity to serve as Head Verger at Bristol Cathedral. Only 29 years old, Mr. Castledine again held the title of was the youngest Head Verger in the country at that time. He made history in other areas of his ministry as well, taking part in the ordination of the very first group of women to be ordained priests in the Church Of England.
The early 2000s brought Mr. Castledine to the role of Custos at Winchester Cathedral. His stewardship at one of England's oldest foundation cathedrals helped pave the way to his current post of Dean's Verger at Westminster Abbey. In his time at the Abbey, Mr. Castledine has been blessed to participate in truly amazing and varied services. From the daily round of quiet service to national and international services, he's witnessed and assisted at four different Presidential State visits from the USA, the 2010 State and ecumenical visit of Pope Benedict XVI, the 2011 Royal Wedding of the now Prince and Princess of Wales, the 2022 State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and, most recently, the Coronation of King Charles III.
One truth that has shown itself through Mr. Castledine's work at various cathedrals is this; though all the cathedrals work in different ways be it liturgy or management the common goal is the proclamation of the Good News.
