Historic Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria calls Noelle York-Simmons as first female rector

Posted Nov 22, 2016
The Rev. Heather VanDeventer associate rector at Christ Church; Bishop Shannon Johnston of the Diocese of Virginia; the Rev. Noelle York-Simmons, rector of Christ Church; and the Rev. Ann Gillespie senior rector at Christ Church.

The Rev. Heather VanDeventer associate rector at Christ Church; Bishop Shannon Johnston of the Diocese of Virginia; the Rev. Noelle York-Simmons, rector of Christ Church; and the Rev. Ann Gillespie senior associate rector at Christ Church.

[Historic Christ Church] On Nov. 19, Historic Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria celebrated the new ministry of its 28th rector, the Rev. Noelle York-Simmons, at a special installation service. She is the first female rector in the church’s 243-year history.

The Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnson, bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, was the celebrant. The service also featured the Rev. Kimberly Jackson associate rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia, as guest preacher, where she spoke of the new and wonderful challenges that York-Simmons and the Christ Church community will greet together: “It is time…to sing a new song.”

In recommending York-Simmons to the vestry, the Rector Search Committee called her an outstanding preacher, spiritual leader, parish leader and caring shepherd. “Her sermons are Bible-based and filled with reflections for today … Her tone is warm and joyful… and her energy and enthusiasm are infectious.”

The York-Simmons was senior associate rector of All Saints’ in Atlanta for seven years and served there as associate rector there five years prior to that. She also served as dean of the MidAtlanta Convocation, a regional convocation of churches and communities in the Diocese of Atlanta. She is a graduate of Emory University and the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. She expects to receive a Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory’s Candler School of Theology next year, focusing on homiletics (preaching).

“I am honored and excited to celebrate together. Christ Church has a history of strong, committed service to our community and to our world and I look forward to leading the parish in the newest chapter of that service,” said York-Simmons.

Christ Church is a historic church with an active congregation of more than 1,800. Located at 118 N. Washington St. in Alexandria, Christ Church provides ministry to the needy in Alexandria and to the world through ministries in Uganda, Honduras, South Sudan and the Holy Land.

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Comments (4)

  1. John Doe says:
    October 28, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    Will you take down the CROSS? It might offend someone such as Obama at Georgetown!

  2. Thonas Maddalena says:
    October 28, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    Noelle York-Simmons.. How dare you impose your troubled political ideas on one of the most beloved figures in American History? Do your ideas include denouncing America all together? I feel you are a very sad representative of Christianity.

  3. Martha Holt says:
    October 28, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    I am FEELING unsafe and unwelcomed in my own country when I read of places like Christ Church honoring subjective feelings over factual history of out nation! To remove the plaque honoring ,George Washington is not only foolish, it is ignorant of the fact that had it not been for Washington,
    and Almighty God , we would not even have a United States of America. Do those making decisions such a this truly think this is unifying to our nation? Who is next? God Himself….. He certainly could make some FEEL uncomfortable! My prayer is that this decision,though obviously insignificant to those who made it , will be reconsidered and acknowledged as one that should be rescinded.
    Respectfully submitted,

  4. Gail Watkins says:
    October 29, 2017 at 8:36 am

    I find it disgraceful that you are removing plaques commemorating our first president. I wish this church were under the auspices of the National Historical Society so Washington’s memory could be guarded with respect. In my opinion, this is being done irrationally and it is undermining traditional American values. PLEASE reconsider.

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