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The Revd Matthew Stone (Rector@stjohnschurchstanmore.org.uk) |
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Rachel Phillips - Associate Rector |
Matthew has been Rector since July 2014, following six years as Vicar of All Saints’ Queensbury.
Matthew grew up in Hampton, attending a Church of England High School and serving his local church first as youth leader and then Churchwarden. He began his working life in NatWest before moving to The Prince’s Trust. He trained for the ordained ministry in Oxford (Ripon College Cuddesdon) and served his curacy at St Peter’s, Hammersmith.
As part of his role, Matthew makes a number of contributions to the life of St John’s C of E School in Stanmore and is also Vice-Chair of Governors. He is Padre to Stanmore Air Cadets and Chair of Trustees to the local Bernays Memorial Institute. Since 2024 Matthew has been Area Dean of Harrow.
Matthew is married to Becky, and they have two children who attend high schools in Watford (after attending St John’s School for their primary years).
Matthew says the best thing about being Rector of St John’s Church is being part of a wonderful family of all ages who enjoy being together.
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Revd Helen Wolstencroft - Assistant Curate |
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The Revd Irene Lawrence (Assistant Curate) |
Helen started as an Assistant Curate at St John's in June 2026, following her ordination training at St Mellitus College and ordination at St Paul's Cathedral.
Helen grew up in Hertfordshire, and became a Christian as a teenager whilst attending her Church of England secondary school. She spent almost twenty years as a Youth Worker, working in various Churches, schools and the local authority. Her last youth work role was at St Peter's in West Harrow, where she also supported youth and children's ministry across the Diocese as part of the Willesden Growing Younger Team, and volunteered with Re:Generation with assemblies and lessons in some of the Harrow schools, including St John's School! Helen is delighted to be back in Harrow Deanery, and can't wait to get to know everyone in the St John's family and the wider Stanmore community.
In her spare time Helen loves being outside walking or running with friends and family. She has a twin sister, enjoys gardening and is a keen baker. Helen can often be found spending her Saturday mornings volunteering or running at parkrun.
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Irene has lived in the same road in Rayners Lane all her life, in the parish of St Andrew, Roxbourne, where she attended for thirty five years, engaging in choir, bell ringing, serving and PCC.
Irene and her husband Peter have two children - Emily and Matthew, two grandsons - Max and Zac. Irene enjoyed a church plant locally, which eventually joined forces with St Paul's South Harrow. Following this Irene attended St Peter's West Harrow for many years, acting as Safeguarding Officer and enjoying flower arranging.
Irene began work as a Secretary for the MoD, moving on to running a Support Group for parents of children with neuro-diversity, and various projects for children with disabilities for many years. This work led to teaching in Stanmore College and Hillingdon Adult Education and some work in the National Autistic Society's Accreditation team.
Due to caring responsibilities, Irene attended higher education in her sixties - Westminster Uni and Birmingham School of Education. Irene was referred later in life to St Mellitus College from St Alban's North Harrow where she was Deaconed, then Priested. Irene began her third year Curacy with St John's in May 2026, together with interim Padre with Air Cadets squadron in South Harrow.
Irene and Peter's shared interest is Archery, both being founder members of Bowmen of Harrow and qualified as Archery Coaches for the last fifty years. Irene also enjoys gardening, painting, meeting people and spending time with her grandsons.
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Graham Nicholson - Churchwarden |
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Pam Curran - Churchwarden |
I am IT consultant and occasionally travel to Europe to do temporary IT installations or provide consultancy, primarily to military customers. Although this can sound quite interesting it always ends up as flying in, do the job and then fly straight home again, the inside of one server room is very much like the next.
Outside of work I enjoy fencing with both epee and foil and I also enjoy reading and can, occasionally, be found behind a camera |
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Having grown up in the local area, my faith was a core part of my upbringing and that remains today. I thrive on the opportunity of working with and supporting people to grow and develop their skills and talents whilst also caring for themselves and others.
My home, family and friends are hugely important to me. I love spending time together whether at home or away, baking for everyone and spending time outside especially in our garden or at the coast.
Music is also a big part of my life – playing, singing and listening, and the choir at St John’s is a great way for me to profess and share my faith with others in our church family and beyond. |