We have a really wonderful staff at St. Stephen’s, in addition to exceptional lay leaders who keep our life as a community bounteous and beautiful. On this page, you’ll be introduced to our staff and given the opportunity to contact them. Please do!
The Reverend Karl Stevens became Priest-in-Charge of St. Stephen’s on January 1st, 2020, and was made Rector on December 4, 2022. Karl has been ordained for nineteen years, and has spent most of his career working in campus ministry, first as Chaplain to Kenyon College, and then as the Missioner for Campus Ministry on the diocesan staff. Karl’s interests in the arts, practice of contemplative Christianity, and desire to work for social justice leads him to live out his call at St. Stephen’s with great joy and excitement.
You can contact Karl by emailing rector@ststephens-columbus.org. You can sign-up for his Substack newsletter by going to https://livingtheendofchristendom.substack.com/.
The Reverend Patricia Rose is our resident, meaning that she just graduated from seminary and will be with us for two years as she learns priestcraft and gains experience in the practical aspects of her calling. Before going to seminary Patricia, who is a teacher by training, served as the Director of Adult Spiritual Renewal at St. Timothy’s in Cincinnati. She has also served as a communications director, a freelance writer, and a curriculum developer. Patricia is a trained spiritual director with a deep prayer life who spent time ministering to San Francisco’s homeless population while in seminary. Patricia is also serving St. Edward’s in Whitehall during her residency.
Click here to send Patricia an email.
The Reverend Brice Patterson is our Deacon and Campus Minister. Brice recently graduated from the School for Diaconal Formation, and was ordained to the vocational diaconate in March 2022. Brice is a talented preacher and leader, with a passion for social justice, as well as being an avid hiker and runner. He is married to Emily (a gifted poet), and they have a young daughter, Saoirse, who was baptized at St. Stephen’s. Brice works very near to the church, at OSU’s Fisher College of Business. You can contact Brice by emailing deacon@ststephens-columbus.org.
Our Music Director and Choir Master, Dennis Davenport, is Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Music at Otterbein University. A composer with a strong background in musical theater, Dennis leads a vigorous and gifted choir composed of student and non-student parishioners.
You can contact Dennis by emailing ddavenport@otterbein.edu.
Our Director of Children and Youth Formation, Darien McCoy, is a recent alum of the Episcopal Service Corps, and is one of the lead counselors at Procter’s summer camp. Beginning in his position in May of 2020, Darien leads Children’s Church and will help grow our involvement with diocesan camping programs and retreats.
Liz Hecker, our Parish Administrator, has a strong background in office administration. She runs the nerve center of the parish, and is our go-to person on a host of projects and procedures. Liz is a talented singer who was active in the Columbus music scene for several decades. She now sings in the church choir.
You can contact Liz by emailing parishoffice@ststephens-columbus.org.