An annual award for lay people within the Diocese who have made exceptional contributions to the parish, the local community, or the Diocese.
In 2019, Bishop Martin launched the Order of St Richard as an annual award for lay people within the Diocese who have made exceptional contributions to the parish, the local community or the Diocese. Since then over 220 people have received the award, representing over 150 parishes in the diocese.
The nominations for this year are now open. Download the nomination form.
We encourage nominations to be made as early as possible, please don’t leave it to the last minute. Churchwardens in a Vacancy can make a nomination but retired clergy cannot. Both the clergy/churchwarden nomination and the lay supporting nomination should be detailed but as concise as possible. It is important that the lay nomination sums up the nominee’s achievements and doesn’t just write “I agree with what the Vicar has put”!
The deadline date for submitting nominations is Thursday 2 April 2026. Any nominations received after this date will be assessed for the 2027 award.
Please send the completed form to palaceadmin@chichester.anglican.org or by post to The Order of St Richard, The Palace, Canon Lane, Chichester, PO19 1PY
The presentation will take place in Chichester Cathedral during Evensong on Saturday 26 September 2026.