The Diocese of Canterbury is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev’d Canon Estella Last as the next Archdeacon of Maidstone.
Estella currently serves as Vicar of the Bridge Group Parish and Area Dean of the East Bridge Deanery, located on the outskirts of Canterbury. She brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the flourishing of parish life across the Diocese.
The collation, the formal service in which a priest is legally and spiritually appointed to a senior church office, will take place on 13 January 2026 at Canterbury Cathedral.
The Archdeacon of Maidstone is a senior clergy role within the Diocese of Canterbury. Working closely with the Bishop of Dover and fellow archdeacons, Estella will provide pastoral care and guidance to clergy and church officers in the Maidstone Archdeaconry, oversee church governance and buildings, and offer leadership to help parishes thrive in their communities and in God’s mission.
Estella has served as an elected clergy representative on the Diocesan Archbishop’s Council for six years and was nominated as Chair of the House of Clergy in 2024. From 2019 to 2024, she was the Diocesan Adviser for Women’s Ministry. She also serves as the Safeguarding Governor for the primary school in her parish and has contributed to national church life through her service on the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission.
Reflecting on her appointment, Estella said: “I am passionate about seeing churches in our Diocese be all that they can be and look forward to supporting the parishes and benefices of the Maidstone Archdeaconry as they seek to play their part in God's mission in their corners of our diocese.”
The Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev’d Rose Hudson-Wilkin, welcomed the news, saying: “I am delighted that Estella will be joining us as the new Archdeacon of Maidstone.
“Her passion for helping our churches be all that God is calling them to be resonates deeply with our shared vision for the Diocese.
“I know Estella will be a great source of encouragement and wisdom to clergy and lay leaders alike as we continue to serve our communities and live out God’s mission together.”
Estella will join the archdeacon team alongside the Venerable Will Adam, Archdeacon of Canterbury, and the Venerable Darren Miller, Archdeacon of Ashford.
Following the appointment, Archdeacon Darren said: “I am very pleased that following the recent recruitment process, Estella will be joining Archdeacon Will and me in her new role.
“From her experience serving the church in this diocese and beyond in so many different ways, she demonstrates a heart for God's mission and for all who share in it.
“She will be a great support for all who minister in the parishes of the Maidstone Archdeaconry.
“I look forward to working closely with her as part of our diocesan team in the months and years ahead.”
The Diocese of Canterbury would like to express its thanks to the Rev’d Canon Sharon Copestake for serving as Interim Archdeacon of Maidstone during the vacancy.
It is also grateful to the Rev’d Richard Braddy for his support as Associate Archdeacon.
Their faithful service, wisdom, and collaboration have been invaluable in sustaining and strengthening the life of the Maidstone Archdeaconry throughout this period of transition.
More about Estella
Estella Last grew up in North Kent, studying Business and Finance Law at Brunel University before embarking on a career in Marketing and Event Management.
Taking a career break after the arrival of her first child in 2005 she spent the next 10 years, as her family grew, supporting her local church, and developing ministry with families and children and the local primary school as well as serving on the PCC.
Here her vocation to the priesthood was discerned and she began her pre-ordination training with the South East Institute of Theological Education (SEITE – now St Augustine’s College of Theology). She was ordained in 2014 and served her Title post in Herne village near the Kent coast. She completed her BA in Theology for Christian ministry from Durham University in 2017.
In 2018 she was licensed as Priest in Charge of the Bridge Benefice, a rural benefice comprising three parishes and five churches on the outskirts of Canterbury. She was subsequently made Incumbent of the new Bridge Group Parish in May 2021 following the amalgamation of the parishes to form the single Bridge Group Parish.
She held the role of Diocesan Adviser for Women’s Ministry in the Diocese of Canterbury from 2019 – 2024. Estella served as an elected Clergy Representative on the Diocesan Archbishop’s Council for two three-year terms and elected to the role of Chair of the House of Clergy in 2024. She was invited to become an Honorary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral in 2023 and served on the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission this year.
She enjoys spending time with her family, walks, reading and singing.