The Very Reverend Katie Lawrence
The Ninth Dean and Vicar of the Wellington Cathedral
As the first female Dean of the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Katie Lawrence brings a passionate commitment to serving Jesus Christ and others. Born in Cyprus into a mobile RAF family, Katie attended three schools. For twenty years Katie performed professionally, choreographed, and taught dance nationally and internationally.
After training for ordained Ministry, equipped with a first class honours degree in theology from Durham University, Katie was ordained in 2016 at Winchester Cathedral. There she fell in love with cathedrals, exploring opporunities to pioneer ministry alongside more traditional approaches to connect with people of faith.
In 2019 Katie was appointed Canon Precentor at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul. Since 2021, combined with that role, she was appointed acting Dean and in 2023 was installed as the Ninth Dean of the Wellington Cathedral.
Highlights of her ministry here have including leading State Services, the memorial for the Loafers Lodge Fire, and engaging with protesters outside Parliament during their occupation.
Katie is married to Matt, the Cathedral’s official Artist in Residence, and together they have three children; Poppy, Josiah, and Solomon, and assorted cats.