Stephen Sykes facts for kids

Stephen Whitefield Sykes (born August 1, 1939 – died September 24, 2014) was a Church of England bishop. He was also a smart academic who studied theology.

He was a special professor of theology at Durham University from 1974 to 1985. Later, he became a professor at Cambridge University from 1985 to 1990. From 1990 to 1999, he served as the Bishop of Ely. This meant he was a main leader for the Diocese of Ely. After that, he was the head of St John's College, Durham from 1999 to 2006. He also helped out as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Durham during his retirement.

Early Life and Education

Stephen Sykes was born on August 1, 1939, in Bristol, England. His father was also a leader at a religious college in the city.

Stephen went to Monkton Combe School, which was a private school for boys in Bath, Somerset. In 1958, he started studying theology at St John's College, Cambridge. He did very well and earned a top degree in 1961. After that, he trained to become a priest at Ripon Hall, Oxford.

Career Highlights

Stephen Sykes had an interesting career, combining his work as a church leader with his love for teaching and studying.

Church Leadership

Stephen Sykes became a deacon in 1964 and a priest in 1965. In 1964, he went back to St John's College, Cambridge, where he had studied. He became the dean of the college chapel.

When he moved to Durham in 1974, he became a residentiary canon at Durham Cathedral. This is an important role in the church. Later, when he returned to Cambridge in 1985, he was given a similar honorary role at Ely Cathedral. He also worked as a curate at St John the Evangelist's Church, Cambridge, from 1985 to 1990.

On May 2, 1990, he was made the Bishop of Ely. This was a very important position. As a bishop, he became a Lord Spiritual and served in the House of Lords. This is part of the UK Parliament. He was in this role from 1996 to 1999. He left the position on September 1, 1999, to go back to working in education.

From 1999 until his death in 2014, he was an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Durham. He also helped lead the Doctrine Commission of the Church of England from 1996 to 2002. This group discusses important church beliefs.

Academic Work

Besides his church roles, Stephen Sykes was a dedicated academic. He was part of the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. He started as an assistant lecturer in theology in 1964. Then, he became a full lecturer from 1968 to 1974.

In 1974, he became the Van Mildert Professor of Divinity at Durham University. In 1985, he returned to Cambridge University to become the Regius Professor of Divinity. This is a very respected teaching position.

After being a bishop for nine years, he returned to academia in 1999. He was appointed the principal of St John's College, Durham. This college is part of Durham University and also a place where people train to be Anglican church leaders. He retired from this role in 2006.

Later Years

After he retired, Stephen Sykes continued to live in Durham. In his later years, he developed a health condition that meant he needed a wheelchair.

Stephen Sykes passed away on September 24, 2014, at the age of 75. He was survived by his wife, Marianne, and their three children. Sadly, his wife passed away just eight weeks after him. His funeral was held at Durham Cathedral on October 10, 2014. He was later buried in Cambridge in a special woodland burial site.

Family Life

In 1962, Stephen Sykes married Marianne Hinton, who was known as Joy. They had three children together: one son and two daughters. Their son, Richard, became a lawyer. Both of their daughters, Joanna and Juliet, became teachers.