Who’s Who?
The Revd Canon Hilary Barber
Vicar
Hilary has been Vicar of Halifax since 2007 and has overseen the transition from Parish church to becoming one of the Church of England’s industrial, urban minsters. The Minster has reclaimed its Benedictine roots as a place of pilgrimage and destination, with a rich programme of worship and cultural events. Hilary works with the private, public, and third sectors; across the town, regionally, and nationally. He has built up strong links internationally with Halifax’s twin town of Aachen and the Minster’s Mission Partners at the Cathedral Church of St Peter, Kowak, in Tanzania; where he is a Canon of the Catheral and also here in Wakefield. Hilary chairs the Ethics Board for the Combined Authorities of West Yorkshire and supports the Mayor of West Yorkshire and the Chief Constable. He also sits on the Independent Advisory Board for Hate Crime, and in 2026 becomes the Chair of the Major Churches Network.
Reverend David Carpenter
Lecturer
David joined the Minster in 2019 in the role of Lecturer, after retiring as a full-time parish priest in Huddersfield.
David’s ministry at the Minster mainly consists of a pastoral role to the worshipping community.
David began his ordained ministry in his home country of Wales and worked in a number of parishes there.
He took ‘time out’ of ministry and trained as an Assistant Practitioner with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service which gave him a very different perspective on life.
David works 3 days a week at the Minster and enjoys his non-working time with his wife Susan, their children and their grandchildren.
Reverend Sam Crook
Curate
Rev’d Sam Crook trained at the College of the Resurrection and was ordained Deacon in July 2022. She has joined the Minster to serve as a curate, where she will complete her training for the priesthood. At the minster she is responsible for baptism preparation and wedding planning.
Sam previously worked as a teacher and counsellor, living and working in Yorkshire for the past twenty years, alongside her husband Revd Simon Crook and their three children.
In her free time Sam loves to dance and sing, read novels, go to the theatre and walk in the wilds – particularly if there is a wild swimming spot en-route!
Trish Boyd
Reader
Trish has lived in Halifax all her life. Her two big passions have always been science and theology (‘God stuff’).
After she left school she trained in dyeing and colour physics and worked in the textile industry for many years. Now, although in a different field of industry, she still works full time as a chemistry analyst.
Being a Reader, along with everything the role involves, is what she enjoys doing in her spare time! She gained a BA in Theological Studies in 2008 and then two years later began her Reader training.
She was admitted to the Reader Ministry in October 2011 and was licensed to the Minster in April 2013, spending a large part of her time serving the parish of St Mark’s, Siddal. Trish says – ‘So, when you hear someone say that science and religion don’t mix, tell them to think again!’
Andy Barber
Operations Manager
Andy joined the Minster as Operations Manager in July 2021 after 30 years working in schools and serving as a Churchwarden in a church in Huddersfield.
Andy’s role at the Minster is wide and varied – from managing the calendar, events and the building to welcoming visitors, posting on social media and supporting all those who serve in the life of the church.
Charlie Murray
Director of Choral Music
Charlie was appointed Director of Choral Music in September 2024. His role involves the choosing of music and leading the Minster’s choirs.
The Revd Canon Hilary Barber
Vicar
Hilary has been Vicar of Halifax since 2007 and before that, he had twelve years working in Manchester Diocese.
His current work seems to fall into four categories: Care of the Minster and its people; Chaplain to the private, public and third sectors across the town of Halifax and borough of Calderdale; Patronage – appointing Vicars to parishes across the borough with the archdeacon and bishop and work across the Diocese of Leeds and the Huddersfield Episcopal area.
He is also very much involved with the Major Churches Network and the movement for Urban Minsters across the country.
He is committed to helping Halifax punch above its weight in competition with all the other northern towns on the M62 corridor! He is married to Sarah and they have four children and in his spare time, he loves gardening, music, walking, and visiting France. He is an avid supporter of Manchester United!
David joined the Minster in 2019 in the role of Lecturer.
He had recently retired as a parish priest in Huddersfield.
David began his ordained ministry in his home country of Wales and worked in a number of parishes there.
He took ‘time out’ of ministry and trained as an Assistant Practitioner with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service which gave him a very different perspective on life.
David works 3 days a week at the Minster and enjoys his non-working time with his wife Susan, their children and their grandchildren.
Reverend David Carpenter
Lecturer
Reverend Sam Crook
Curate
Rev’d Sam Crook trained at the College of the Resurrection and was ordained Deacon in July 2022. She has joined the Minster to serve as a curate, where she will complete her training for the priesthood.
Sam previously trained as a teacher and counsellor, living and working in Yorkshire for the past twenty years, alongside her husband Revd Simon Crook and their three children.
In her free time Sam loves to dance and sing, read novels, go to the theatre and walk in the wilds – particularly if there is a wild swimming spot en-route!
Trish has lived in Halifax all her life. Her two big passions have always been science and theology (‘God stuff’).
After she left school she trained in dyeing and colour physics and worked in the textile industry for many years. Now, although in a different field of industry, she still works full time as a chemistry analyst.
Being a Reader, along with everything the role involves, is what she enjoys doing in her spare time! She gained a BA in Theological Studies in 2008 and then two years later began her Reader training.
She was admitted to the Reader Ministry in October 2011 and was licensed to the Minster in April 2013, spending a large part of her time serving the parish of St Mark’s, Siddal. Trish says – ‘So, when you hear someone say that science and religion don’t mix, tell them to think again!’
Trish Boyd
Reader
Andy Barber
Operations Manager
Andy joined the Minster as Operations Manager in July 2021 after 30 years working in schools and serving as a Churchwarden in a church in Huddersfield.
Andy’s role at the Minster is wide and varied – from managing the calendar, events and the building to welcoming visitors, posting on social media and supporting all those who serve in the life of the church.
Charlie was appointed Director of Choral Music in September 2024. His role involves the choosing of music and leading the Minster’s choirs.
Charlie Murray
Director of Choral Music
HALIFAX MINSTER
OPENING HOURS
The Minster is open between 12 noon and 4 pm throughout the year. The Minster is a very busy venue for baptisms, weddings and funerals and access to the building may be restricted at certain times as a result.