Winnie Varghese

New York’s oldest site of continuous Christian worship, the Episcopal Saint Mark’s Church-in-the Bowery, is installing its first rector in 23 years, and its first female rector in its long, over 350 year history.

The installation of Reverend Winnie Varghese will take place this Saturday, October 20, at a special service beginning at 11am.

Preaching at the service will be The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris, the first woman ever ordained in the world-wide Anglican Communion. Bishop Coadjutor of New York, the Rt. Rev. Andrew M.L. Dietsche will preside.

“I’m honored to be installed as the Rector of this historic, welcoming, progressive, diverse and high-energy church,” Varghese said. “I look forward to continuing to grow with St. Mark’s by embracing its tradition of supporting diversity, arts and social justice and by providing members a welcoming environment to grow spiritually.”