The Archdeacon of Pontefract is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Leeds.
As Archdeacon he or she is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy within the five area deaneries of Dewsbury, Wakefield, Pontefract, Barnsley and Birstall.
From the creation of the Diocese of Wakefield in 1888 until its reorganisation in 1927, the archdeaconry of Halifax comprised the northwestern corner of that diocese. In 1927, the archdeaconry was renamed to that of Pontefract and its borders moved to cover the eastern half of the diocese (the Huddersfield archdeaconry became the new archdeaconry of Halifax).
For many years the post of Archdeacon of Pontefract was combined with that of Bishop suffragan of Pontefract. The current incumbent is Peter Townley. Since the creation of the Diocese of Leeds on 20 April 2014, the archdeaconry has formed the Wakefield episcopal area.
Archdeacons of Halifax
1888–1906 (d.): Ingham Brooke
1906–1917 (res.): William Foxley Norris
1917–29 November 1923 (d.): Henry How
1923–1927: Richard Phipps (became Archdeacon of Pontefract)
In the diocesan reorganisation of 1927, the archdeaconry was renamed to Pontefract. (For Archdeacons of Halifax after 1927, see Archdeacon of Halifax.)
Archdeacons of Pontefract
1927–1930 (ret.): Richard Phipps (previously Archdeacon of Halifax)
1931–1938 (res.): Campbell Hone, Bishop suffragan of Pontefract
1938–1949 (res.): Tom Longworth, Bishop suffragan of Pontefract
1946–1954 (res.): Arthur Morris, Bishop suffragan of Pontefract
1954–1961 (res.): George Clarkson, Bishop suffragan of Pontefract
1961–1968 (res.): Eric Treacy, Bishop suffragan of Pontefract
1968–1981 (ret.): Edward Henderson (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
1981–1992 (ret.): Ken Unwin (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)
1992–1997 (res.): John Flack
1997–2003 (res.): Tony Robinson
2003–2007 (res.): Jonathan Greener
2007–present: Peter Townley
