The Rev. Shawn Evelyn has been elected to serve as Priest-in-Charge at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church in Chicago effective April 13, the church’s wardens announced this week.

Reverend Shawn, as he prefers to be called, is originally from Georgetown, Guyana in South America and was only a child when he arrived in the United States with his family. As a cradle Episcopalian, he was always active in the church and was recognized at an early age as someone who would be a priest. While serving in his parish, he was able to find ways of taking part in diocesan ministries, serving with the Program Group on Youth and Young Adult Ministries for many years, and even national ministries with the church. Rev. Shawn has a strong desire to share the love of Christ, explore liturgy, engage others through various perspectives, and in helping to make sure persons of color are represented in the church.

Rev. Shawn graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in the summer of 2019 and recently moved to Chicago with his wife, Rev. Anna Broadbent.

Rev. Shawn was the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee after an incredible search process that involved numerous candidates, interviews, and candidate visits to St. Edmund’s. Rev. Shawn’s interview with the Search Committee was compelling. He shared his journey to become a priest and his story of faith as he worked in other professions and eventually listened to his heart to begin the call to ordained ministry.

“St. Edmund’s is fortunate to have the opportunity to call Rev. Shawn,” said St. Edmund’s Senior Warden Fred Reid and Junior Warden Andrea D. Flynn. “He is a kind priest and committed to developing lay leadership and youth. Our Vestry believes Rev. Shawn is the right individual at the right time with the right combination of pastoral and administrative skills needed to lead St. Edmund’s into the 2020s.”

Rev. Shawn Evelyn is the fourth person to hold this role in the church’s 115-year history.

About St. Edmund’s
St. Edmund’s is one of the oldest and most renowned and active predominantly black Episcopal congregations in Chicago. This church has been a pillar of the Washington Park community since its earliest days. St. Edmund’s is known for its strong music program and the warmth of its parishioners. St. Edmund’s welcomes everyone to come to worship. For more information, please visit www.stedmundschicago.org.