A NOTE FROM THE REV. JACK BROWNFIELD
As we announced in church a few weeks ago, I have been called as the next rector of Christ Episcopal Church, North Hills. This means I will stay in the Diocese of Pittsburgh but end my time as your curate after a little more than two years. My final Sunday at St. Michael’s will be August 16th, and my first at Christ Church will be August 23rd.
Leaving is truly bittersweet. St. Michael’s is where I was ordained as a priest, where I celebrated my first Holy
Communion, and where I performed my first wedding, baptism, and burial. More than that, this parish has been where I’ve grown tremendously, thanks in large part to you. You welcomed me with kindness, enthusiasm, and love, invited me into your homes for a meal or came into my office for a conversation. I am very thankful that we walked together as Christian disciples, and thankful, too, for the many blessings I take with me to my new call.
But I’m not going quite yet. I hope you can be in church on August 16th so we can say goodbye. If not, I hope
we’ll have the chance to talk at some point in the next month and a half so that I can express how much this
church has meant to me. Please pray for me as I take up these new responsibilities and as Katelyn and I get
ready for our wedding!
Jack+
The Reverend Jack Brownfield
The Reverend Jack Brownfield is excited to return to Western Pennsylvania to begin his ordained ministry at St. Michael’s of the Valley! After growing up as an Episcopalian in Bethel Park, PA, Jack attended Georgetown University (studying theology and English) and then completed his MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary. Since PTS is a Presbyterian seminary, he then went to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA for a yearlong Anglican Studies program before being ordained a deacon in June 2024 and a priest in February 2025. While in seminary, Jack served as an intern in congregations in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maryland, and spent a summer working as a chaplain at Shadyside Hospital.
Jack is an avid student of theology and history, especially of the Reformation. He is passionate about preaching and teaching the Good News of God’s free grace towards the world and listening to God’s Word as it is spoken to each of us, here and now. He enjoys connecting theology and history to our lives in the real world, so that these subjects are not just shut up in books but come alive and make a difference for how we love and trust God and live with one another. He is eager to get to know the St. Michael’s community and would love to connect with you over a cup of coffee or a home visit. As curate, Jack leads our kids' Sunday school program, preaches and celebrates Communion regularly, teaches our Faith Seeking Understanding class, and assists the rector.
Outside of the church, he loves nature, hiking, and biking, which means he is happy to serve in such a beautiful part of Pennsylvania. He also enjoys reading and writing, particularly theology, history, and fantasy. He is thrilled to be marrying Katelyn in the summer of 2026.
Jack Brownfield Has Been Ordained a Priest
by Bishop Ketlen on February 1st at St. Michael’s at 10am. He will continue for the foreseeable future at St. Michael’s, doing many similar things while also celebrating Communion on Sundays.
“I am so excited for this next chapter of my ministry here and for what God has in store for us together as we proclaim the Gospel in the Ligonier area.”
We are too!
Here is a link to a video of the service.
Thank you to Andy Muhl from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh for the photos below.