Canon Michael Branch
Cathedral Dean
dean@stgeorges.org.uk
Canon Michael Branch was formed for the priesthood at Campion House, Osterley, and St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. He was ordained priest on the 31st May 1997, serving as assistant priest at St Joseph’s, Roehampton and St Saviour’s, Lewisham. In 2006 he became Parish Priest of St Patrick’s, Plumstead. He then spent nine years as Parish Priest at St Peter’s, Woolwich, before taking on his present position as Dean of St George’s Cathedral. Canon Michael is delighted to have returned to the area where he originates. In fact, he was born at the top of Westminster Bridge Road and the Cathedral is where generations of his family have received the sacraments.
See the Dean's Welcome here.
Father Joseph Donkor
Sub Dean
frjoseph@stgeorges.org.uk
Fr Joseph is a priest of the Diocese of Goaso, a vocation he became aware at an early age while he was still at Junior High school at my hometown of Techimantia, Ghana. He was ordained a deacon and was placed in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chaplaincy of the distinguished University of Cape Coast and later ordained to the preisthood in 2004.
Following his experience of various ministries within the Diocese, he was offered generous support to study the discipline of education at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Following his time as priest in residence at Sacred Heart Wimbledon, he joined St Georges Cathedral as Sub Dean in October 2023.
Father Dermott O'Gorman
Assistant Priest
frdermott@stgeorges.org.uk
Father Dermott is originally from Wallington and completed his priestly formation at St. John's Seminary in Wonersh. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John in July 2020 and has since been serving as the Assistant Priest at St. George's. Prior to his calling to the priesthood, Fr. Dermott worked as a Civil Servant for several years and was connected to the Cathedral community through his regular attendance at daily Mass.
Rev Javier Elderfield
Deacon
revjavier@stgeorges.org.uk
Deacon Javier is a married permanent deacon with a family of five children. He was ordained in 2009 and was appointed to St Saviour's parish, Lewisham Deanery, ministering there for twelve years. He works full time as the Chaplaincy coordinator for Christ the King Sixth Forms, based at CTK Emmanuel, Lewisham. Before then he worked as a secondary school music teacher. He and his wife are the Diocesan Marriage and Family Life (MFL) Bereavement ministry coordinators. He is available mostly at weekends to assist the Cathedral liturgies.
Cathedral Staff:
Mark Meaney
Site & Facilities Manager - facilities@stgeorges.org.uk
Jonathan Schranz
Diocesan Director of Music - music@stgeorges.org.uk
Alexander Wilson
Cathedral Organist
Rachel Costello & John Cottee
Cathedral Secretaries - admin@stgeorges.org.uk
Visit our Music Department pages to see a full list of Music staff at the Cathedral.
The Archbishop
For information about the Archbishop of Southwark, The Most Reverend John Wilson, please visit the website of the Archdiocese of Southwark.