Bishop Joe Bell

Rev. Joe Bell, a native of Cape Town, studied at the Bible Institute of South Africa. After graduating he and his wife Christine served first at Christ Church, Cape Town and then at St Mark’s, England – moving from curate to rector between 1966 and 1972 when he was appointed Rector of Christ Church Pinetown. He became Bishop of Natal in 1979, and ten years later was consecrated Presiding Bishop of the Church of England in South Africa (now known as REACH‑SA). He held that office until his passing on 1 July 2023, aged 85.