Phone number: +44 (0)1223 339433
The Rev'd James Crockford
James Crockford is the College’s Dean of Chapel, offering pastoral support to all in College. He is responsible for the life of the College’s historic Chapel, and is part of the College welfare team. He also writes and researches in the interrelation of theology and the arts.
Academic interests
James Crockford’s academic interests include:
- Theology and music
- Philosophy of music
- Philosophical theology
- Augustine of Hippo.
Degrees obtained
- BA, Music, Nottingham.
- BA, Theology and Religious Studies, Cantab.
- MPhil Theology and Religious Studies, Cantab.
Awards and prizes
- Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music.
Biography
James Crockford grew up in Derbyshire and Kent, before reading Music at the University of Nottingham. He is a saxophonist and Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music.
After working in church community projects and training in counselling, he came to Cambridge to read Theology at Trinity Hall, whilst training for ordination at Ridley Hall. James served in parish ministry in south-east London, and as Associate Vicar of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford and Honorary Chaplain at Magdalen College, Oxford.
James supervises undergraduates and postgraduates in theology. He writes and researches on the relation of theology and the arts, from Plato to Augustine, Martin Luther to John Coltrane.
James leads the Chapel team and also supports students as a Tutor. He is often assisted by Pippy the College's Welfare Dog, who enjoys getting to know students and staff, and distracting them from workloads and worries!
Other interests
Dog-walking with his beagle, hiking the Camino de Santiago, swimming, jazz, gardening, reading.
Department link
Publications, links and resources
- Crockford, J. (2024), A Love Supreme: Mediations of immediacy in jazz ritual and recitation, Yale Journal of Music & Religion 9(2), 2024, pp 9-30.
- Crockford, J. (2023), Martin Luther and the metaphysics of music, Scottish Journal of Theology 76(4), November 2023, pp 357-368.
- Crockford, J. (2022), Contested memorials and the discipleship of Christian memory, International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church 22(2), July 2022, pp 97-110.
- Crockford, J. (2021), Faith Beyond Fear: Sermons from Newman’s Pulpit, Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.
- Crockford, J. (2017), Get Happy: Luther and the power of musical affect, LOGIA XXVI(1), January 2017, pp 47-52.
- Crockford, J. (2016), Performing music, performing faith, Theology 119(1), January 2016.
