Who We Are: Embracing Faith, Community, and Service in Rockledge, PA

In 1893, Robert Ryerss, an owner of a shipping company and a member of Trinity Church Oxford, saw a need for a new church close to his summer home in Burholme. No churches were in the Fox Chase Rockledge area, and a mission of Trinity was established. Rockledge was a stop-over point between Philadelphia and New Hope, and a toll road started here at Central Ave. (Huntingdon Turnpike). This was the way folks traveled to New York. After Mr. Ryers's death, Mrs. Ryerss wanted to build a memorial to her husband.

They had visited and liked St. Mary's Cathedral in St Neot's Huntingdonshire, England. The architects fashioned plans for a scaled-down version to be built in Rockledge. The original church (now the parish house) was on the front of the property and either needed to be moved or razed so the new building could be placed in a more prominent position. It was lifted up, placed on greased timbers, and pulled to its new position by mules in 1897. The new building was dedicated in 1898.

Clergy & Staff

Father John Daniels

Priest-In-Charge

John Daniels — Rockledge, PA — Holy Nativity Episcopal Church

Dear Holy Nativity,

Reverend John Derek Daniels, affectionately known as Father John, serves as the Priest in Charge at Holy Nativity Rockledge and Saint Paul’s Elkins Park. He delights in being part of this historically significant and multicultural community, where the joy of worshipping together is evident on the faces of both the young and the young at heart. This communal spirit fills him with hope for the future of the congregation and the country.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Father John was born and raised in Lambertville, NJ, before moving to the West Coast for college. Before his ordination, he built a diverse career in banking, insurance, and real estate, working primarily in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington. In Seattle, he met his wife Lori, with whom he has shared over 30 years of marriage. Together, they have raised four adult children and two Briard dogs, Genevieve (Genna) and Napoleon (Poley), who keep their household lively.

Father John’s journey to ordination began at his home parish, Saint Thomas Medina, WA, where he served as Senior Warden. Encouraged by Bishop Vincent Warner to pursue ordination, he and his family relocated to Alexandria, VA, where he attended Virginia Theological Seminary. During his time at seminary, he served as an on-call chaplain for Children’s National Hospital and continued his chaplaincy at Virginia Hospital Center and Community Hospice post-seminary. Additionally, he worked as a youth minister and school chaplain in Bowie, Maryland.

His ministry expanded when he was called to Church Farm School in Exton, PA, where he served as school chaplain, world religion teacher, and community service director for nine years. He later became the middle school chaplain and religion teacher at the Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square. In 2022, Father John began his role as priest-in-charge at Holy Nativity Rockledge, and in 2023, he also took on the same role at Saint Paul’s Elkins Park. Throughout his life, Father John has firmly believed that God is in control. When the diocese approached him about the priest-in-charge ministry, he responded without hesitation, a decision he is grateful for every day. Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledges the Spirit’s guidance in his work and life, weaving his ministry into the lives of many.

Father John is committed to building and growing God’s church, fostering a community where worship, song, praise, and gratitude for life’s blessings flourish. He is grateful for the warm welcome from the community and looks forward to seeing everyone on Sunday mornings.

The Reverend John D. Daniels.

Priest-in-Charge

Cell: 484-983-7943;

Office 215-663-9903

The Memorial Church of the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, Rockledge

205 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, Pa 19046 (215-663-9903)

Father John’s journey to ordination began at his home parish, Saint Thomas Medina, WA, where he served as Senior Warden. Encouraged by Bishop Vincent Warner to pursue ordination, he and his family relocated to Alexandria, VA, where he attended Virginia Theological Seminary. During his time at seminary, he served as an on-call chaplain for Children’s National Hospital and continued his chaplaincy at Virginia Hospital Center and Community Hospice post-seminary. Additionally, he worked as a youth minister and school chaplain in Bowie, Maryland.

His ministry expanded when he was called to Church Farm School in Exton, PA, where he served as school chaplain, world religion teacher, and community service director for nine years. He later became the middle school chaplain and religion teacher at the Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square. In 2022, Father John began his role as priest-in-charge at Holy Nativity Rockledge, and in 2023, he also took on the same role at Saint Paul’s Elkins Park. Throughout his life, Father John has firmly believed that God is in control. When the diocese approached him about the priest-in-charge ministry, he responded without hesitation, a decision he is grateful for every day. Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledges the Spirit’s guidance in his work and life, weaving his ministry into the lives of many.

Father John is committed to building and growing God’s church, fostering a community where worship, song, praise, and gratitude for life’s blessings flourish. He is grateful for the warm welcome from the community and looks forward to seeing everyone on Sunday mornings.

The Reverend John D. Daniels. Priest-in-Charge

Cell: 484-983-7943; Office 215-663-9903

The Memorial Church of the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, Rockledge

205 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, Pa 19046 (215-663-9903)

Irina Bakis

Minister of Music

Irina has been the Music Minister at Holy Nativity since 2016. "It's truly amazing to have people of different backgrounds, ages, and training come together to sing, creating something so beautiful, spiritual, and inspiring!" She is also an accompanist at Keystone State Boys' choir, Find Your Instrument! Choirs, Sister Cities girls' choir, a piano teacher, and performs regularly throughout the city.

She completed her master's degree in Piano Performance and Teaching at Prokofiev Conservatoire in Donetsk, Ukraine. While Irina is a very busy musician, she also makes art in her spare time. She holds a BA from Pratt Institute, NY, and her selected works have been exhibited in NYC and local galleries, with solo shows at the Ukrainian Institute in New York.

Contact Irina

Reverend Jeannie Sachs

Deacon

I am delighted to join the Holy Nativity community in December 2023. My ministries include “Bright Lights,” a hat and glove knitting ministry, and an art quilt ministry to tell the stories of those who have lost their voices or have no voice in our world. My day job is as a professional garden designer at Gasper Home and Garden Showplace, where I get to be a “garden evangelist.”

Contact Deacon Jeannie at greenjeangardens@me.com

The Vestry of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church

(Vestry members may serve two consecutive terms of three years and then must step down for at least one year. The number in parentheses represents the term being served.)

Class of 2023

John Stevenson III

Janet Geissler (1)

Cathy Tacchino (2)

Class of 2024

Christina McDuell (1)

Isa Kennedy (1)

Class of 2025

Ed Siegler (2)

Vestry-Members (Leadership Team)

Edward Siegler, Rector's Warden
Roger Scheuer, Property Warden
Christy McDuell, Secretary
Janet Geissler, Vestry
John Stevenson, Vestry
Don Rose, Jr. Vestry
Fr. John Daniels, Priest-in-Charge

On-Site Maintenance and Security

Should anyone notice anything that needs repair or is out of the ordinary, please notify the church immediately by email at mail@holynativityrockledge.org or at (215) 663-9903

For after-hours campus needs or emergencies, please contact Roger from BuxMont Exteriors at (267) 342-6335.

Whether you're a longtime member or a first-time visitor, Holy Nativity welcomes you with open arms. Explore our vibrant community, participate in our Sunday worship, and discover the joy of serving alongside fellow believers. Visit us at 205 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046.