Nichols, Alan (b 1937 - 20 June 2026) D 1961 P 1962 (Sydney)

Clergy News 
24 June 2026 
The Venerable Alan Nichols AM 
The Venerable Alan Nichols died on Saturday 20 June 2026. 
Alan was ordained Deacon in the Diocese of Sydney on December 21, 1961, and Priested the 
following year. 
Alan moved to Melbourne in 1978, when he became Incumbent at St James’ Old Cathedral, 
Melbourne West and Executive Director of the Mission of St James and St John (1978-86). 
He then served as Archdeacon of Melbourne and Executive Officer in the Division of Pastoral 
Care and Education, as well as a Clerical Member of General Synod (1986-91). His ministry also 
extended internationally through mission service with the Jesuit Refugee Service (1991-93) and 
long-standing involvement in Rwanda, including as a Canon of St John’s Cathedral, Gahini, and 
as a trustee of the Barakabaho Foundation. 
Alan was the Assistant Priest at St John the Evangelist Toorak (1993-97) before serving as the 
Incumbent of St Mark’s Camberwell (1997-2000).  Alan then served as Aide to the Archbishop 
of Melbourne (2002-03). 
Alan retired in 2006 and was granted Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Melbourne. In 
this period, he undertook various locum ministries as well the role of Coordinator of 
Multicultural Ministries. He continued to serve faithfully in this capacity until 2020, and from 
2013 was recognised as Archdeacon Emeritus. 
A funeral for Alan will be held at St Michael’s Anglican Church North Carlton on Monday 29 
June, at 2:00pm.  The service will also be livestreamed and can be viewed here. 
We hold in our prayers Alan’s wife, Denise and their children, Paul, Peter Jeremy, James and 
Sarah and their families at this time of loss and grief. 
May Alan rest in peace and rise in glory. 
The Most Reverend Dr Ric Thorpe  
Archbishop of Melbourne  
Making the Word of God fully known 
Anglican Diocese of Melbourne | 209 Flinders Lane Melbourne Vic 3000 | +61 3 9653 4204 
archbishop@melbourneanglican.org.au