Vicar of Christ Church Southgate

Father Robert Coupland grew up in rural North Yorkshire (though he has no discernible accent!). After school, he trained and worked in early years education. After discerning a call to ministry, he moved to London to serve as Pastoral Assistant at St Matthew’s, Westminster. He then trained for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. He was made deacon in 2016 and ordained priest in 2017 by the Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner.

Prior to serving as Vicar of Christ Church, Father Robert served as chaplain to the Bishop of London, supporting the bishop’s episcopal ministry across the diocese and the administration of the Bishop’s Office. From 2019 until 2025, he served at St Paul’s Cathedral as Minor Canon and Sacrist, where he was part of the team overseeing the daily round of prayer and worship, as well as the large number of special services held throughout the year. In 2024, he served as Acting Canon Precentor, providing oversight to the Worship and Music Directorate. Following this, he was appointed to the newly created role of Head of Liturgy, which he held concurrently with the Minor Canonry. Father Robert joined the Two Cities Area Ministry Team in 2021 as Area Director of Ordinands. Between 2016 and 2019, he served as Assistant Curate at two inner-city churches in Brighton and as sequestrator for a third.

Father Robert was appointed to Christ Church and took up his ministry in June 2026 and can be contacted at [email protected]