Rector and Staff
Meet the Interim Rector, The Rev. Howard Hanchey
The Rev. Howard Hanchey has, since 1967, served the Episcopal Church as a priest. He retired in 2001 from the faculty of the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria Virginia (his alma mater) where he served for 23 years, retiring as the Arthur Lee Kinsolving Professor of Pastoral Theology. He took his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and his Doctor of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA. He is a board certified Chaplain Supervisor (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education).
In the course of his ministry he has also served in parish leadership roles, and as a pastoral counselor and hospital chaplain. A nationally published author, his books address the issues of church growth and congregational leadership, Christian education, and evangelism.
He is married for 48 years to the former Anne Ewing Summers of Richmond; they are the parents of two daughters and the grandparents of four children. Dr. Hanchey and his wife make their home in Lancaster county.
In the course of his ministry he has also served in parish leadership roles, and as a pastoral counselor and hospital chaplain. A nationally published author, his books address the issues of church growth and congregational leadership, Christian education, and evangelism.
He is married for 48 years to the former Anne Ewing Summers of Richmond; they are the parents of two daughters and the grandparents of four children. Dr. Hanchey and his wife make their home in Lancaster county.
Parish Administrator, Denise DeVries
Denise DeVries was born in Colorado, but never liked the snow. During her first Virginia spring in 1977, she startled other Metrobus passengers by shouting when she saw azaleas. After more than ten years in Kilmarnock, she still never tires of watching deer gather in the field at sunset.
Denise talked before she could walk, and feels at home in churches, schools, and libraries. With four children, three stepchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, and a granddaughter on the way, she always has a reason to read Dr. Seuss and Facebook. She met her husband Alvaro Ibaňez at a Spanish poetry reading in Washington DC. Their daughter Delia Ibaňez is a student at Northumberland Middle School.
With experience ranging from property management to community outreach, Denise enjoys work that combines “behind the scenes” office tasks with public contact.
Denise talked before she could walk, and feels at home in churches, schools, and libraries. With four children, three stepchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, and a granddaughter on the way, she always has a reason to read Dr. Seuss and Facebook. She met her husband Alvaro Ibaňez at a Spanish poetry reading in Washington DC. Their daughter Delia Ibaňez is a student at Northumberland Middle School.
With experience ranging from property management to community outreach, Denise enjoys work that combines “behind the scenes” office tasks with public contact.
Choirmaster and Organist, Olivia Cockrell
Olivia is a native of the Northern Neck. She has been Organist and Choirmaster at Wicomico Parish Church for almost 20 years. She also plays the harp and has a lovely singing voice.
Olivia, who is the heart and soul of our music program, leads the choir in rehearsals on Tuesday mornings and during the 10 AM service every Sunday. She initiated the Advent Lessons & Carols service, now a wonderful tradition in addition to Christmas Lessons & Carols. The multi-talented Olivia also holds a Coast Guard Master's license and has served as crew aboard menhaden fishing vessels in the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Coast, and Gulf of Mexico.
Olivia, who is the heart and soul of our music program, leads the choir in rehearsals on Tuesday mornings and during the 10 AM service every Sunday. She initiated the Advent Lessons & Carols service, now a wonderful tradition in addition to Christmas Lessons & Carols. The multi-talented Olivia also holds a Coast Guard Master's license and has served as crew aboard menhaden fishing vessels in the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Coast, and Gulf of Mexico.