New priest for Christ Church, Streatham

A former actor and theatre director has become an assistant bishop for the arts.

The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, has installed The Rt Revd Rob Gillion as priest for Christ Church, Streatham and commissioned him as an honorary assistant bishop in the diocese and as Bishop for the Arts.

Bishop Rob was a professional actor and theatre director while rector of Holy Trinity Church, Chelsea before he was ordained, and created a theatre church at St Saviour, Knightsbridge.

He and his wife, Janine, also an actor, helped develop the Intermission Theatre (now Intermission Youth), which works with vulnerable young people to raise their self-esteem and aspirations through the power of drama, theatre and Shakespeare. Bishop Rob is now Patron.

Bishop Rob said: “I am so excited to explore the synergy between the Church and the arts in Southwark.

“Artists resonate with the challenging and inspiring questions of the age, and we need to hear their prophetic voices.

“I hope I can support artists, especially at this time of Covid-19, offering pastoral care and affirming opportunities to exhibit and perform which are
already active in the Church.”

Pictured top: The Rt Revd Rob Gillion