The Archdeacon of Ludlow is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Hereford. Prior to 1876 the post was known by its previous title of Archdeacon of Shropshire or alternatively as the Archdeacon of Salop in the Diocese of Hereford.
History
Shropshire was historically split between the diocese of Hereford (under the Archdeacon of Shropshire) and the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield (under the Archdeacon of Salop). The Shropshire archdeaconry in the Hereford diocese included the deaneries of Burford, Stottesdon, Ludlow, Pontesbury, Clun and Wenlock and the Salop archdeaconry in the Coventry and Lichfield diocese the deaneries of Salop and Newport. On 4 April 1876, the archdeaconry of Shropshire became the archdeaconry of Ludlow, with the additional deaneries of Bridgnorth (added in 1535), Montgomery, Bishops Castle, Condover, and Church Stretton.
The Archdeacon is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy within the six current area deaneries: Bridgnorth, Clun Forest, Condover, Ludlow, Pontesbury and Telford Severn Gorge.
The post is currently held by Alistair Magowan, Bishop suffragan of Ludlow. His two predecessors as Archdeacon of Ludlow were also Bishops of Ludlow.