 Kirkham was educated at Lancing College and Trinity College, Cambridge, and ordained in 1962.His ministry began with a curacy at St Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich after which he was Chaplain to Launcelot Fleming, Bishop of Norwich and finally (before his appointment to the episcopate) "Canterbury Diocesan Director of Ordinands".He was made a deacon at Michaelmas 1962 (30 September) at St Mary's, Woodbridge and ordained a priest the Michaelmas following (29 September 1963) at St Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich — both times by Arthur Morris, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.