The Revd Cassa Messervy began her new role as the new Archdeacon of Buckingham on 1 March 2026. Her service of collation took place at St Mary’s Church Aylesbury, where clergy, churchwardens and representatives from across Buckinghamshire gathered to witness the occasion and pray for her ministry.
The collation of a new archdeacon is a formal service in which a priest is legally admitted to the office by the diocesan bishop. During the ceremony, oaths of allegiance are taken and prayers are offered for the archdeacon’s pastoral and administrative leadership.
Revd Cass Messervy collated by the Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt Revd Dave Bull
Cassa said:
“It was a great joy to be so warmly welcomed by the people of the Buckingham Archdeaconry as I committed to serve them as archdeacon. The stories of the ways God is at work in our deaneries were so encouraging and I was delighted by the gifts I received.
“Our theme for the service was taken from Jesus’ words to ‘seek first the Kingdom’; to make this our priority amongst all the important and worrying stuff of life. The archdeaconry team seeks to help our churches to deal with the important and worrying stuff so that they can be released to ‘seek first God’s Kingdom’ through their churches, and in their communities.”
The Archdeacon of Buckingham plays a key leadership role across Buckinghamshire, supporting clergy and parishes, overseeing church buildings and governance, and encouraging the Church’s mission and ministry in a time of significant change and opportunity. Cassa takes up the role following the retirement of The Venerable Guy Elsmore. She brings extensive experience as a parish rector, most recently in Wychert Vale. She has been Area Dean in the region, and has had a focus on school governance and local ministry development.
The Bishop of Buckingham, Dave Bull, said:
“Having first met Cassa over a decade ago, I know she brings to the role both vibrant faith and significant leadership gifts. She has spent all of her ordained life in this county, so Cassa already has a deep knowledge of parish life here and awareness of the work of the Holy Spirit in town and village life.”
The Diocese of Oxford is one of the largest and most diverse dioceses in the Church of England, covering the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. It is organised into four episcopal areas (Oxford, Dorchester, Buckingham and Reading) with churches serving rural villages, market towns and rapidly growing urban communities.