The Church of England has made history today. Dame Sarah Mullally officially takes the reins as Archbishop of Canterbury—the very first woman to ever hold the top position in the Church’s 1,400-year history.
From Nurse to Archbishop: Mullally’s Remarkable Rise
Dame Mullally’s journey began in south London, where her roots run deep. Born Sarah Elisabeth Bowser in Woking, 1962, she put her Christian faith into action by becoming a nurse. After studying at London South Bank University and training at St Thomas’ Hospital, she climbed the NHS ladder with senior roles at Westminster Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster, and The Royal Marsden.
At just 37, she smashed records as England’s youngest Chief Nursing Officer in 1999. Her influence extended beyond hospitals—holding director roles at London South Bank University and King’s College London.
Climbing the Church Ladder: From Deacon to Archbishop
Her spiritual calling led her to ordained ministry in south London. Training at the South East Institute of Theological Education, she was ordained deacon in 2001 and priest in 2002. She cut her teeth with parish work in Battersea, Clapham, and Sutton, honing skills in pastoral care and ethics.
Married since 1987 to Eamonn Mullally, with two children, she lives in the heart of the City of London. All eyes are now on the Church as it enters its next era under the trailblazing Dame Sarah Mullally.
