Fergus Butler-Gallie

The Reverend
Fergus Butler Gallie
Born1992 (age 32–33)
Alma materUniversity of Oxford, University of Cambridge
OccupationsPriest, writer, broadcaster, and columnist
SpouseMadeline Grant
ReligionChristianity
ChurchChurch of England

Fergus Butler-Gallie (born 1992) is an English writer and Anglican priest. He is vicar of Charlbury (St Mary and All Saints). Butler-Gallie rose to prominence with the publication of his book A Field Guide to the English Clergy in 2018, and has since written several more books, newspaper columns, and opinion pieces, as well as regular radio and podcast appearances. He was ordained in 2018 in the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool at the age of 26.[1]

Early life

Butler-Gallie grew up in Bethersden, Kent. He attended Tonbridge School,[2] and then studied History and Czech-Slovak at St John’s College, Oxford. After this, he studied another degree in Theology at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He then lived in South Africa and the Czech Republic, before returning to the UK, studying for ordination in the Diocese of Liverpool.

Ordained ministry

As a curate in the Church of England, he served at Liverpool Parish Church.[3] After being ordained first a deacon, then a priest in the diocese, he moved to central London, and then became assistant chaplain at Tonbridge School[2] before being given the cure of souls at Charlbury, Oxfordshire (St Mary Charlbury with All Saints' Shorthampton)[4][5][6] on 17 January 2024.[7]

Writing

In addition to his ministry as a vicar, Butler-Gallie is best known publicly for his writing.[8] This includes a number of books, essays, and regular newspaper columns and opinion pieces. His books include:

  • A Field Guide to English Clergy[9]
  • Priests de la Resistance![10]
  • Touching Cloth: Confessions and communions of a young priest[11]
  • Twelve Churches: An unlikely history of the buildings that made Christianity[12]

He was the 2023 winner of the P. G. Wodehouse Society essay competition, for an essay titled "The Hour Breeds Thought - Night Time in the Stories Of P G Wodehouse."[13]

Personal life

Butler-Gallie has been married to Madeline Grant,[14][15] a journalist and parliamentary sketchwriter[16] for The Spectator, since July 2025.[17][18]

In 2014, prior to his ordination, he appeared on Series 10, Episode 3[19] of TV quiz show Only Connect, presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell, as a member of 'The Wandering Minstrels.'[20]

References

  1. ^ "Millenial priest opens up on hungover church services". Kent Online. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Tonbridge welcomes Fergus Butler-Gallie as Assistant Chaplain". www.tonbridge-school.co.uk. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  3. ^ liverpoolparishchurchadmin (12 April 2022). "Fr Fergus Butler-Gallie". Liverpool Parish Church. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Appointments". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Who We Are – St. Marys & All Saints". Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie appointed as Vicar of Charlbury | charlbury.info". www.charlbury.info. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  7. ^ "New Vicar installed! – St. Marys & All Saints". 18 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Fergus Butler-Gallie | Penguin Random House". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  9. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2018). A Field Guide to the English Clergy. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-78607-574-1.
  10. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2019). Priests de la Resistance!. Oneworld Publications. ISBN 978-1786076724.
  11. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2024). Touching Cloth: Confessions and communions of a young priest. Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-1529176117.
  12. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2025). Twelve Churches: An unlikely history of the buildings that made Christianity. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-1399731300.
  13. ^ "Essay Prize". The P G Wodehouse Society (UK). Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Country Life - British Columbia Libraries - OverDrive". British Columbia Libraries. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Madeline Grant". IMDb. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  16. ^ Grant, Madeline (27 May 2025). "Madeline Grant". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  17. ^ "The Rev F.B. Butler-Gallie and Miss M.M.W. Grant The Telegraph Announcements". announcements.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  18. ^ Times, The (27 June 2025). "Births, marriages and deaths: June 28, 2026". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  19. ^ "BBC Two - Only Connect, Series 10, Wandering Minstrels v Gallifreyans". BBC. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  20. ^ Stephen Griffin (3 November 2014). The Wandering Minstrels return on Only Connect!. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via YouTube.
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