Fergus Butler-Gallie

The Reverend
Fergus Butler Gallie
Born1992
Alma materUniversity of Oxford, University of Cambridge
Occupation(s)Priest, 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 Church (St Mary's 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[4] before being given the cure of souls at Charlbury Church, Oxfordshire (St Mary’s Charlbury with All Saints Shorthampton), as the Vicar of Charlbury.[5][6][7] on the 17th January 2024[8]

Writing

In addition to his ministry as a vicar, Butler-Gallie is best known publicly for his writing.[9] This includes a number of books, essays, and regular newspaper columns and opinion pieces. His books include:

  • A Field Guide to English Clergy[10]
  • Priests de la Resistance![11]
  • Touching Cloth: Confessions and communions of a young priest[12]
  • Twelve Churches: An unlikely history of the buildings that made Christianity[13]

He was also 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.[14]

Newspaper contributions

Butler-Gallie has written widely across many well known UK newspapers, often with opinion pieces from his vantage point as a cleric. His newspaper contributions include The Times,[15][16] The Spectator,[17] Church Times,[18] The Telegraph,[19] Financial Times,[20][21][22] New Statesman,[23] The Critic,[24] The Fence,[25] Engelsberg Ideas,[26] and Literary Review.[27]

Media and public appearances

Butler-Gallie has made several radio appearances, primarily BBC Radio 4, and BBC Radio Merseyside.[28][29][30][31][32] In addition to radio, he has also been featured in several podcasts, interviews, and discussions on digital media. These include a commentary on 'Christianity in TV & Film' for Penguin Books UK,[33] discussing Christians and encounters with Priests in TV & Film such as; Fleabag, Derry Girls, Rev., & The Vicar of Dibley. He also discussed the scrutiny of Religious Politicians on PoliticsJOE,[34] a discussion on his book 'a Field guide to the English Clergy' with Tom Holland (author) on the Church Times podcast[35][36], and Debated at the Durham Union on the motion 'This House Would Disestablish the Church of England'.[37] Other podcast appearances include The God Cast with Fr. Alex Frost,[38] (author of Our Daily Bread; From Argos to the Altar.[39]), Ben Yeoh Chats, 'Priesthood, frocks, scouse, faith, Liverpool, and Mummified Hearts,'[40] and Premier Christianity's Profile Podcast.[41][42]

He has spoken at St Paul’s Church in Monaco on the topic of "Clerical Resistance in World War II,"[43] as well as at the Hay Festival,[44] and the Creative Folkestone Book Festival.[45]

Personal life

He has been married to Madeline Grant,[46][47] journalist and parliamentary sketchwriter,[48] for The Telegraph since July 2025.[49][50]

In 2014, prior to his ordination, he appeared on Series 10, Episode 3[51] of TV Quiz Show Only Connect, presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell, as a member of 'The Wandering Minstrels.'[52]

References

  1. ^ "Millenial priest opens up on hungover church services". Kent Online. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  2. ^ "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. ^ "Tonbridge welcomes Fergus Butler-Gallie as Assistant Chaplain". www.tonbridge-school.co.uk. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Appointments". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Who We Are – St. Marys & All Saints". Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie appointed as Vicar of Charlbury | charlbury.info". www.charlbury.info. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  8. ^ "New Vicar installed! – St. Marys & All Saints". 18 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Fergus Butler-Gallie | Penguin Random House". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  10. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2018). A Field Guide to the English Clergy. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-78607-574-1.
  11. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2019). Priests de la Resistance!. Oneworld Publications. ISBN 978-1786076724.
  12. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2024). Touching Cloth: Confessions and communions of a young priest. Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-1529176117.
  13. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (2025). Twelve Churches: An unlikely history of the buildings that made Christianity. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-1399731300.
  14. ^ "Essay Prize". The P G Wodehouse Society (UK). Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  15. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (26 July 2024). "Bums, boobs and smut — what a vicar learnt from the great British sex comedy". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  16. ^ Butler-Gallie, Fergus (3 February 2024). "Church has a role in helping Gen-Zedders find a home". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Fergus Butler-Gallie, Author at The Spectator". The Spectator. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Diary: Fergus Butler Gallie". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  19. ^ Butler-Gallie, Rev Fergus (5 December 2024). "Rev Fergus Butler-Gallie". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Fergus Butler-Gallie Financial Times Article Stream". www.ft.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  21. ^ "The Unsung Power of the Christmas Carol".
  22. ^ "Client Challenge". www.ft.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Fergus Butler-Gallie". New Statesman. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Author: Rev Fergus Butler-Gallie". The Critic Magazine. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Author: Fergus Butler-Gallie". The Fence. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  26. ^ "An Easter elegy". Engelsberg ideas. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  27. ^ "Fergus Butler-Gallie - Surviving Midnight". Literary Review. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Daybreak with Paul Beesley - Sunday Essentials with Rev. Fergus Butler-Gallie 26 03 23 - BBC Sounds". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  29. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, The God Desire". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  30. ^ "Coming up in the week ahead on TV and on Radio". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  31. ^ Baddiel, David (2023). The God desire: on being a reluctant atheist. London: TLS. ISBN 978-0-00-855028-8.
  32. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, Sanctuary, refuge and exile". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  33. ^ Penguin Books UK (13 April 2023). The Reverend Fergus Butler-Gallie Breaks Down Christianity in TV & Film. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  34. ^ PoliticsJOE (26 April 2023). Why religious politicians should be scrutinised. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ "Podcast: Fergus Butler-Gallie talks to Tom Holland about A Field Guide to the English Clergy". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  36. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  37. ^ Durham Union (23 November 2024). The Rev. Fergus Butler-Galle | This House Would Disestablish the Church of England. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  38. ^ "Burnley vicar to walk from 'Argos to the altar' to help needy families". Burnley Express. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  39. ^ "Our Daily Bread: From Argos to the Altar – a Priest's S…". Goodreads. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  40. ^ Ben Yeoh Chats (19 July 2023). Fergus Butler-Gallie: priesthood, frocks, scouse, faith, Liverpool, and Mummified Hearts | podcast. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  41. ^ Premier On Demand (13 September 2024). Fergus Butler-Gallie: Confessions of a young priest. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  42. ^ "Fergus Butler-Gallie: Confessions of a young priest - The Profile". Premier Plus. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  43. ^ Heslin, Nancy (10 July 2024). "Fergus Butler Gallie". Good News, Monaco. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  44. ^ "Fergus Butler-Gallie talks to Alex Clark". Hay Festival. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  45. ^ "Reverend Fergus Butler-Gallie: Confessions of a Millennial Priest - Creative Folkestone". www.creativefolkestone.org.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  46. ^ "Country Life - British Columbia Libraries - OverDrive". British Columbia Libraries. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  47. ^ "Madeline Grant". IMDb. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  48. ^ Grant, Madeline (27 May 2025). "Madeline Grant". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  49. ^ "The Rev F.B. Butler-Gallie and Miss M.M.W. Grant The Telegraph Announcements". announcements.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  50. ^ Times, The (27 June 2025). "Births, marriages and deaths: June 28, 2026". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  51. ^ "BBC Two - Only Connect, Series 10, Wandering Minstrels v Gallifreyans". BBC. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  52. ^ Stephen Griffin (3 November 2014). The Wandering Minstrels return on Only Connect!. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via YouTube.
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