Former Cotswolds vicar the Rev Catherine Cowie to become first woman rector of Beaulieu Abbey church

A MUM-of-two is set to become the first woman rector of the historic Beaulieu Abbey church.

The Rev Catherine Cowie will be inducted into the role next month as the church’s 51st incumbent in its 495-year history.

She also takes under her wing the churches at Exbury and East Boldre, and the chapel at Buckler’s Hard, forming the wider Beaulieu benefice.

The Rev Cowie will live in Beaulieu rectory with her husband Alexander and their two young children.

A spokesperson for the benefice told the A&T: “The rectory will echo with the sound of happy playtime voices for the first time in more than 40 years.

“The Rev Cowie’s previous role was as part of the ministry team in a rural Cotswolds benefice, which includes Upper and Lower Slaughter among its seven churches.”

She is the first female rector in the church’s history. Warden Peter Melhuish said: “We are delighted that Catherine is coming to us.

“Members of the three churches and the chapel of Buckler’s Hard greatly look forward to working with her, as we send the Christian message even more widely throughout the benefice.”

The Rev Cowie’s position will be confirmed at a licensing service conducted by the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen, at Beaulieu Abbey church at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th September.

The previous rector, the Rev John White, retired in 2023 after eight years in the role.