Christ Episcopal Church

The Reverend Kenneth L. Chumbley

Rector | ken@christepiscopalchurch.com

The Rev. Kenneth L. Chumbley has been rector of Christ Episcopal Church since 1995. Ken is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where he earned his bachelor's degree with honors in history in 1976, and of The General Theological Seminary, New York City, where he earned his master's degree in divinity in 1986. He earned his master’s in English from Missouri State University in 2013. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1986 and to the priesthood in 1987. Before seminary and ordination, he worked in banking, journalism and university and agency public relations as a writer, editor and account manager. His articles, essays and reviews have appeared in many national, regional and local publications. He has also written op-ed columns for the Springfield News-Leader for 20 years. Ken is married to Penny Gordon-Chumbley, a painter. He and Penny have a daughter, Clare, and two granddaughters and a grandson, June Elizabeth, Christa Marie, and Damian Kai Michael.

The Reverend Mark W. Ohlemeier

Assistant Rector | mark@christepiscopalchurch.com

The Rev. Mark Ohlemeier is a native Kansan and cradle Episcopalian who grew up in Topeka. While earning his Bachelor's degree in Communication from Emporia State University, he began a career as a radio news broadcaster which he continued for five years upon graduation. He then became the Public Information Officer for the Kansas Attorney General, and later the Communication Director for a child advocacy organization, followed by a nearly nine-year stint as Web Applications Developer for the Kansas Insurance Department. In 2013, Mark discerned a call to Holy Orders and enrolled the following year in the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He graduated in May 2017 with a Master’s of Divinity, and was ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 17, 2017. He will be ordained to the priesthood in January 2018. Mark and his wife, Kristie, live in Springfield with their high school-aged daughter, Hannah.