Mother Emily (She/Her) is the Rector of
St. Mary's and Episcopal Chaplain to the University of Pennsylvania.

Emily is passionate about making the Good News of Jesus Christ relevant to the current moment, with a focus on partnerships between the church and the broader community; racial and social justice; arts and faith; outreach to students; and those who are disconnected from the church and creation care. Liturgy, preaching, teaching Bible studies, and facilitating faith conversations for families and individuals are Emily's primary focuses. Pastoral presence and acompañamiento (walking alongside people in their faith journeys) are paramount to her philosophy as a spiritual leader and as a priest-scholar.

With theological degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Sewanee School of Theology (STM) and as a part-time doctoral student at the University of Aberdeen studying lived religion and

practical theology, Emily also has an MFA in Creative Writing from Old Dominion University (VA) and has taught at the college level, and worked as a professional editor, writer, and researcher! Her writings have been featured in The Christian Century, Practical Theology, Anglican Theological Review, and other publications.

Both a wife and mother, Emily enjoys her free time gardening; gluten-free baking; creative writing; playing with her daughter; and walking their dog, Maeve.

St. Mary's is overjoyed to welcome Mother Emily as our new rector while we usher in our bicentennial year. She is a fantastic spiritual leader and representative of who we are as a congregation: An inquisitive mentor, an open heart, a gentle soul, and— most importantly— a beloved friend.

Brittany (She/They) has been the Administrator and
Facilities & Event Coordinator
of St. Mary's since August 2018.
She comes from extensive backgrounds in PR/marketing; historic preservation; performing arts; graphic design; hospitality and tourism; and arts administration.

In furtherance of her goals as a conduit of community connection, Brittany has received her certification as a CEOLD
and is a current candidate for certifications in DEI, HR, and Consent- and Trauma- Informed Consultation.

 Brittany is ecstatic to lend her specific set of skills to support St. Mary's vibrant and affirming community.

St. Mary's legacies of radical hospitality and equity are what inspire Brittany to ensure that our sanctuary continues to be a safe haven for exploration of community-building and spirit.

Are you curious how St. Mary's
can be a home for your next
community event or gathering?
Then please reach out to Brittany!

Chase Castle (He/Him) is a music historian, organist, and choral conductor. He was a Benjamin Franklin Fellow and Ph.D. candidate in Music at the
University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Castle defended his dissertation, The Gospel in Black and White: Race and Power in American Evangelical Hymnody, 1840-1900, and graduated in Spring of 2024.

Castle’s research explored American revivalism across the nineteenth century, focusing especially on the politics of race in American evangelical hymnody. Unlike previous scholarship that often separates Black from white histories and treats African-American music primarily in terms of spirituals, his research cast a wider net to consider how racial politics played out in widespread, popular, sacred practices.

Chase has performed in master classes with Todd Wilson, Marie-Louise Langlais, and James David Christie.

St. Mary's is truly blessed to have an artist like Chase at the helm of their development of wholly inclusive worship music.

Patrick O'Brien (He/Him) has been the Sexton of St. Mary's for over a decade.
He is a beloved member of our community,
incredible caregiver
of our 200-years-young church,
and guardian of many local flora and fauna (as can be seen in this picture with another St. Mary's celebrity, Sylvestra)!

In addition to the aforementioned,
Patrick is the platonic ideal of a Sexton for any historic community gathering place:
Warm, welcoming, ingenious, and proactive.

He is very much a St. Marian but also a wonderful ambassador for newcomers, so please say "hello!"

St. Mary's is so blessed to have Patrick (and his canine companion, Nando) with us!