Darien’s Saint Luke’s Parish later this month will welcome Bishop Rowan Williams, formerly the Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest-ranking leader in the Anglican community of churches, worldwide.

At two services on Sunday, June 24, Williams will be preaching and the Magdalene College Choir will be singing. The Choirs of Saint Luke’s will be joining the Magdalene College choristers for the service of Evensong that afternoon.

In December 2002 Rowan Williams was confirmed as the 104th bishop of the See of Canterbury: the first Welsh successor to St. Augustine of Canterbury (chosen in the year 597) and the first since the mid-thirteenth century to be appointed from beyond the English Church.

— Editor’s note: This event is listed as an “all-day” event because we don’t yet know the times of the two church services he will be at.

Dr. Williams is acknowledged internationally as an outstanding theological writer, scholar and teacher, as well as being an accomplished poet and translator.

In 2012, at the conclusion of his tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury, Williams became the master of Magdalene College.

“It’s an honor to host a global religious leader like Rowan Williams, especially one so gifted in mind and heart. And the addition of the Magdalene College Choir makes this also an extraordinary musical occasion.” St. Luke’s Rector David Anderson said.

Founded in 1542, Magdalene College is one of the ancient colleges that make up the University of Cambridge.

The College Choir comprises around 24 members of the college and volunteers from other colleges, and is under the direction of the award-winning cellist and conductor, Graham Walker. In recent years the choir has toured Germany, France, Italy, Malta and South Africa. This is its first trip to the United States.

Both services are free and open to the public. Saint Luke’s Parish is located at 1864 Post Road.