Meet the Ministry Team

Fr Russell was ordained in the Diocese of Melbourne in 2021, following theological studies at Trinity College Theological School and a placement at St Mark’s Fitzroy, and he has been Assistant Curate (non-stipendiary) at Christ Church Brunswick since February 2021. Originally from the UK, he was educated at the University of Oxford, completing in 2000 a doctorate on the eighteenth-century French writer Voltaire; he went on to hold academic positions in French studies first at the University of Leeds and then at King’s College London, where he also served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (2014-2018). In 2019 he and his family moved to Melbourne; he is a Professor of French at the University of Melbourne and currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Arts there.

Father Chris was ordained a deacon in September 2016 and ordained priest at the end of November 2016.

Fr Chris was formerly a minister in the Uniting Church, and before his retirement was a professor in Systematic Theology at the University of Divinity. His ordained journey before joining the Anglican Church included parish ministry as well as teaching theology. He has always had a heart for ecumenism and over the years taught many people who are now clergy serving in the Anglican Church!

Fr Chris and his wife Barbara (who remains a Uniting Church minister) began worshipping at Christ Church not long after Bishop Lindsay arrived and soon became very welcome members of the parish family.

Father Mark was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia, where he also undertook his doctoral studies in history and theology. In late 2001, he moved to Melbourne with his wife and family.

After some years in Baptist ministry, Fr Mark was received into the Anglican Church in 2009. Following further studies at Trinity College, he was ordained deacon in February 2014, and priested in November of the same year. Since 2015, he has been associate chaplain at the Chapel of Trinity College and Janet Clarke Hall. Before joining the ministry team at Christ Church Brunswick in late February 2023, Fr Mark served as associate priest at, successively, St Michael’s North Carlton, St Paul’s Cathedral, and St Mary’s North Melbourne. An historical theologian by training and profession, Fr Mark works at Trinity College Theological School where he serves as the Joan Munro Professor of Historical Theology, as well as being both Academic Dean and Deputy Dean of the School.

Stephen Baldwin serves as the Organist and Choirmaster at Christ Church. He also holds the positions of Treasurer and Membership Secretary for the Organ Music Society of Victoria. Additionally, Stephen is the Editor of 'Organ Australia', the premier publication of the Society.