Christopher Herbert is married to Jan and has two adult children, Robin and James, both married. Chris and Jan are grandparents thrice over.

Christopher Herbert was born in Lydney in the Forest of Dean in 1944. His father helped run the family road haulage business, but was also very proud of his roots as a foundryman in a local iron works. He was educated at Monmouth School for Boys and went on to read Biblical Studies and Philosophy at the University of Wales, Lampeter. He graduated in 1965 and went straight to Wells Theological College, and, at the same time, obtained a Postgraduate Certificate of Education at the University of Bristol.
He was ordained in 1967 and served as assistant curate at St Paul’s, Tupsley, Hereford. During this time he taught Religious Education (RE) and Social Studies in a local secondary school, and was a youth leader. In 1971 he became RE Adviser for the Diocese of Hereford and then, in 1976, Diocesan Director of Education, where he was responsible for developing a residential education centre as well as creating new church schools. He was made Prebendary of Hereford Cathedral in 1977.

From 1981-1990 he was Vicar of The Bourne, near Farnham, Surrey. He was appointed Director of Post-Ordination Training and made a Canon of Guildford Cathedral, before becoming Archdeacon of Dorking in 1990. He became Bishop of St Albans in 1995. During his tenure as a diocesan bishop, he also served as Chairman of the Hospital Chaplaincies Council, Chairman of General Synod, National Chairman of the Council of Christians and Jews, and Chairman of the East of England Churches Network, He entered the House of Lords in 1999 established himself as a speaker in the areas of health and medical ethics.

Bishop Christopher has an interest in and love for all forms of literature. He is a prolific author in his own right. Much of his writing is based on the themes of prayer and spirituality, for both children and adults. Among his best-known books are Ways into Prayer (Church House Publishing, 1987) and Pocket Prayers (Church House Publishing, 1993). In 2002 he completed a major piece of research into 'The Image of the Resurrection of Jesus in 15th Century Northern European Art', for which he was awarded an MPhil by the University of Leicester. He is currently involved in doctoral research, also at the University of Leicester, on 'The Origins of the Easter Sepulchre in Pre-Reformation England'. He has been a guest lecturer at the National Gallery, Westminster Abbey and the Courtauld Institute.

In November 2003 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Hertfordshire, pictured above, and received his research P.hD from Leicester university in 2006 for his work on English Easter Sepulchres.

He retired as Bishop of st albans in 2008, having served 13 years in that position. He and Jan now live in Surrey.

Writing, publications and lectures

As well as various papers and very frequent publication and coverage in the media, Bishop Christopher has written the following books:
The New Creation. 1971. REP .LoC catalog no: 72-160249
A Place to Dream. 1976. Hereford Diocesan Council for Education
St Paul's: A Place to Dream. Co-author. Friends of St Paul's. ISBN 0902566016
The Edge of Wonder. 1981. CIO. ISBN 0715147501
Listening to Children. 1983. Co-author. ISBN 0715104128
Beginnings - On the Road. 1984. Bible Society. ISBN 056407053
Be Thou My Vision. 1985. CHP. ISBN: 0715148168
This Most Amazing Day. 1986. CHP. ISBN 0715104314
The Question of Jesus. 1987. Co-author. CHP. ISBN 0715104349
Alive to God. 1987. Collins. ISBN 0005999987
Ways Into Prayer. 1987. CHP. ISBN 0715104454
Help in Your Bereavement. 1988. Colins. ISBN 0005999715
Prayers for Children. 1993. CHP.
Pocket Prayers. 1993. CHP. ISBN: 0715148257
The Prayer Garden. 1994. Harper Collins. ISBN 0551028122
Words of Comfort. 1994. NS/CHP. ISBN: 0715149415
A Little Prayer Diary. 1996. Harper Collins. ISBN 0006280196
Pocket Prayers for Children. 1999. CHP. ISBN: 0715149113

Why 'Three Abbeys'?

The Bishop and Mrs Herbert have long associations with three Abbeys is the UK, namely, St Albans, Kirkstall, and Tintern. Follow the links here to view their sites, but don't forget to return!