Clergy and Staff
The Rev. Canon Kirk Berlenbach
INTERIM RECTOR
215-398-5479
A native of the Delaware Valley, Kirk has been serving the churches of our diocese for over 25 years.
As Canon for Growth and Support, Kirk helped churches look beyond who they have been to imagine who God is calling them to be and to become. Previously, he served as rector of St. Timothy’s, Roxborough and assistant at St Alban’s, Newtown Square. In addition to parish ministry, he was heavily involved in diocesan governance, General Convention, and community non-profits.
He holds a BA in Philosophy from Hamilton College, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University. Prior to parish ministry, Kirk worked in behavioral health, and as a chaplain in both hospital and hospice settings.
He loves music, reading, cooking, gardening, travel, and studies and teaches Aikido in which he holds a third-degree black belt.
Kirk is happily married to Rebekah Sassi, who serves as Vice President for External Affairs at The Franklin Institute. They have three young adult children, four cats, and live in the Overbrook Farms section of the city.
Melissa Breccia
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
215-398-5481
A South Philly native, Melissa just moved back to the city after spending the last 12 years in Los Angeles and Dallas. She has primarily worked in journalism and marketing, and holds a BA in Multimedia Production from California State University, Northridge.
As alluded to by her last name, Melissa is half Italian and also half Filipino, and enjoys sharing these cultures with others. She loves writing, calling red sauce “gravy,” going on road trips in her comically-tiny car, and playing fetch with her wild tabby cat, Syndi.
Jonathan Bowen
ORGANIST and CHOIRMASTER
215-398-5485
Jonathan M. Bowen has been Organist and Choirmaster of the Church of Saint Luke and The Epiphany of Philadelphia since September 1991. He pursued a B.M. degree in church music at Westminster Choir College, studying organ with Robert Carwithen and choral conducting with Melanie Jacobson.
Mr. Bowen has been a substitute organist with the Philadelphia Orchestra in the past and traveled with them on their U.S. Tour in the autumn of 2001. Jonathan was Organist and Choirmaster at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel from 2004-2011.
Jack Walter
SEXTON
215-398-5483
Jack Walter was born in the Hudson Valley, NY. He grew up a student of carpentry under his father. From this, he developed an interest in historic preservation and architecture. After college graduation he moved to Philadelphia to pursue these interests and started his own carpentry business. He enjoys cooking, ice hockey, music, and old films.