He then became chaplain of Tiffin School (1966–72), a post that he soon combined with that of honorary assistant curate of St Richard's Ham (1967–72).
Returning to the north of England, where he was to spend the rest of his ministry, he became director of education for the Diocese of Durham and rector of Brancepeth (1972–85).
He has also been chairman of the Higher Education Funding Council for England Advisory Committee on Church Colleges and president of the Woodard Corporation.
Chesters was a member of the Countryside Commission, and chairman of the North West Rural Affairs Forum.
In the New Year Honours List 2007, he was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for services to the community in the North West.