St. Chrysostom’s welcomed The Rev. Dr. Ian Burch as its 12th Rector in April 2024, following an 18-month search process which concluded with a unanimous call by the Search Committee and the Vestry.
An Episcopal priest with significant skills in congregational vitality, pastoral care and liturgical leadership, Rev. Burch is known for his gifts as a preacher, musician and administrator. He is a passionate advocate and scholar in the field of church hospitality and growth, how holy liturgy shapes us for Christ’s service in the world, and how a parish can partner with its community to support those in need.
Rev. Burch joined St. Chrysostom’s from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, where he served as its Rector for eight years. As Rector, he oversaw a major capital campaign, construction of a new parish hall, a fully revitalized music program, added weekly services, and increased lay leadership, nearly doubling church attendance during his tenure.
Raised in Chugiak, Alaska, where his family helped found a small, semi-rural mission congregation, Rev. Burch attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, studying Religion, Russian Language and Music. Directly after graduating, he began Master of Divinity studies at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. In the eight years following, he served as Lead, Staff and Resident Chaplain at RUSH Oak Park Hospital & VITAS, Chicago, focusing on hospice, intensive care and emergency clinical services. In 2024, Rev. Burch completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at The General Theological Seminary in New York.
Rev. Burch was ordained to the priesthood in 2014 in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and called by St. Chrysostom’s as Associate Rector. During his initial term of service at St. Chrysostom’s, he was praised by parishioners for his worship leadership and his work with youth and young professionals, introducing innovative Sunday School and Day School programs.
In accepting St. Chrysostom’s call, Rev. Burch said, “I know that through worship, early childhood education, music, service and fellowship, together we will continue to create a thriving culture of care for one another, welcome of the stranger, and Christian service to the city and the world.”
He lives with his husband Travis, a social worker and therapist, and their dog Captain Fantastic. They have recently traveled to Dublin, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Montreal and Puerto Vallarta. They’d like to see the whole world.