The Bishop of Knaresborough,

Rt Revd James Bell

The Right Revd James Bell was formerly Director of Mission for the diocese and lives in Exelby near Richmond. He has pastoral responsibility with Bishop John for the whole diocese with a particular concern for rural issues and evangelism.

Thistledown,
Main St.,
Exelby,
Bedale
DL8 2HD
(01677) 423525

Email: bishop.knaresb@btinternet.com

PA: Judith Richardson
Office hours: Mon-Thurs, 9.15 am - 2.15 pm. Office Closed on Friday.

Bishop James Bell was born and bred in the Eden Valley in Cumbria, so he has thoroughly northern roots! His grandfather came from a farming family in Startforth.

He was a parish priest for 11 years (at two modern and one mediaeval churches) and he was an Area Dean for three years looking after 30 parishes and 60 clergy. For four years he acted as Adviser for Ministry and was Director of Ministry Training Programme at Willesden. He then became Director of Ministry & Training for the Diocese of Ripon & Leeds and was also Residentiary Canon of Ripon Cathedral. Following that he was appointed as Director of Mission for the Diocese of Ripon & Leeds.

Currently the Bishop of Knaresborough, he has a background of parochial ministry, training and mission and his responsibilities include evangelism and church growth, rural affairs.