Chapel: People

Before coming to Merton, Simon served his curacy at Tewkesbury Abbey in the Diocese of Gloucester. He trained for ordination at Westcott House in Cambridge and, as a member of Selwyn College, completed a PhD in Syrian baptismal theology. His current research interests include recent revisions of Anglican baptismal rites, Gregory Dix and the origin and development of marriage rites. He is a member of the Church of England Liturgical Commission, and the Oxford Diocesan Liturgical Committee. He was installed as an Honorary Canon of Christ Church in 2015 and as a Wiccamical Prebendary (Honorary Canon Theologian) of Chichester Cathedral in February 2016.

Chris is Canon Emeritus of York Minster, where he was Canon Residentiary and Chancellor from 2013 until his retirement in 2020. In that capacity he had oversight of learning, outreach and the Cathedral’s collections, as well as sharing with other members of Chapter in the governance of the Minster. As well as being an experienced spiritual director and retreat leader in the Christian tradition, Chris is also an authorised Zen teacher and is a member of the White Plum Asanga, an international association of Zen teachers founded in the USA. He is the author of two books, The Divine Dance of Love and Zen Wisdom for Christians and is delighted to be ‘standing in’ for Simon, while Simon is on secondment as Interim Dean of Lincoln.

Originally a modern linguist, prior to training Lyndon spent four years living in intentional communities in Dorset with a particular focus on ecology, conservation and the relationship between gardening and mental health for those in recovery from addictive behaviours.  Lyndon subsequently trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon, where he completed a BA in Theology and MSt in Modern Doctrine at Oxford, before returning to Dorset to serve his curacy in the parish of St John’s Church, Broadstone. Alongside his pastoral and liturgical role at Merton, Lyndon will also be working on a PhD in ecology, queer theology and the Song of Songs in conjunction with Sarum College, Salisbury and Winchester University.

Benjamin Nicholas is Reed Rubin Organist & Director of Music at Merton, and Principal Conductor of The Oxford Bach Choir. As a conductor he has appeared with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The BBC Singers and The Holst Singers in works such as Elgar’s The Apostles, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony, Holst’s Savitri and Verdi’s Requiem.

During Benjamin’s time at Merton, the annual Passiontide at Merton festival has been established, the Dobson Organ has been installed, and the College Girls’ Choir has been founded. He was elected a Bodley Fellow in 2018. 

Benjamin has been involved in the commissioning of a great many works, and conducted the premieres of Charlotte Bray’s Bach RE:Imagined in Southwark Cathedral with the City of London Sinfonia, Howard Goodall’s Veni Sancte Spiritus in Westminster Abbey and numerous choral works by Kerry Andrew, Birtwistle, Chilcott, Dove, Jackson, MacMillan, Martin, Muhly, Tabakova, Weir, and Wilby in Tewkesbury and Oxford.

Benjamin was a chorister at Norwich Cathedral before being appointed Organ Scholar of Chichester Cathedral at the age of 17. He went on to hold organ scholarships at Lincoln College, Oxford and St Paul's Cathedral before becoming Director of Music at St Luke’s Church, Chelsea in 2000. Prior to moving to Merton, he was Director of Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum and Director of Choral Music at Dean Close School. From 2011 to 2016 he served the Edington Music Festival, firstly as conductor of the Schola and then as Festival Director.