The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill has appointed the Rev. Ellen Williams Hensle as its new senior minister and head of staff, marking the second time a woman has held this leadership position at the historic church.
The congregation unanimously approved Hensle's appointment on Oct. 6. She will begin her tenure on Dec. 1, the first Sunday of Advent.
Hensle comes to Chestnut Hill from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, where she has served as associate pastor for youth and discipleship since 2017. During her tenure, she led initiatives to revitalize the church's youth …
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The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill has appointed the Rev. Ellen Williams Hensle as its new senior minister and head of staff, marking the second time a woman has held this leadership position at the historic church.
The congregation unanimously approved Hensle's appointment on Oct. 6. She will begin her tenure on Dec. 1, the first Sunday of Advent.
Hensle comes to Chestnut Hill from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, where she has served as associate pastor for youth and discipleship since 2017. During her tenure, she led initiatives to revitalize the church's youth ministry and mission programs.
The appointment represents a homecoming for Hensle, who was raised in Camp Hill, Pa., and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in English literature. After graduation, she served as campus minister for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Penn before earning her master of divinity, also summa cum laude, from Princeton Theological Seminary.
"We are overjoyed to be returning to the city where we met and where we still have so many friends," Hensle said in her announcement. "I'm excited to begin this new adventure with the saints of PCCH."
Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes, former president of Princeton Theological Seminary, described Hensle as "both very smart and very kind" and "a leader among the student body."
Rev. Austin Crenshaw Shelley, former associate pastor at PCCH and current senior pastor at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, called the selection "an inspired choice," noting Hensle's appreciation for the church's past and future potential.
Hensle will move to Philadelphia with her husband Tom, also a Penn graduate, and their three-year-old son Albert. Her parents now reside in Hershey, Pa.
The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, established in 1852, has operated at 8855 Germantown Ave. since 1950. The congregation, part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbytery of Philadelphia, is known for combining traditional worship with contemporary approaches to faith, emphasizing music, arts, social witness and education.
