Who We Are
Our Mission
The Mission of St. Christopher’s Church is to make disciples by:
Embracing the lost, Encouraging the seekers, and Energizing the found to spread the Good News of Christ’s love.
Our Core Beliefs
- Love
- Inclusion
- Welcome
Our Service Times
8:00 a.m. Sunday Holy Eucharist: This is a quiet service using Rite 2 in the Book of Common Prayer.
10:00 a.m. Sunday Holy Eucharist: This service uses Rite 2 in the Book of Common Prayer and includes music.
9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Prayer Women’s Group: This group meets in person on the third Tuesday of the month for breakfast and fellowship, and meets on Zoom on the other Tuesdays of the month to pray Morning Prayer Rite Two from the Book of Common Prayer.
7:00 p.m. Thursday Service of Compline: We pray Compline from the Book of Common Prayer every Thursday night on Zoom.
9:00 a.m. Second Saturday of the Month Men’s Prayer Breakfast: The men gather for breakfast and prayer on the Second Saturday of each month, and usually includes a speaker.
*Check the weekly schedule for any updates to service times
The History of St. Christopher’s
In June of 1956, Lewis H. Worrall from St. Paul’s, Chester was appointed as a “Perpetual Deacon” to work with this group, under the direction of St. David’s, Radnor. A three-acre site was chosen for a church, and Richard W. Hess was appointed priest-in-charge. With the help of the Diocese, the church was built in 1960. Two successive vicars led the parish through Oxford’s changes from a farming community to an exurban community. In 1972, John C Obenchain was appointed Vicar and led the parish to become financially independent around 1990, and to full parish status in 1995, and Fr. Obenchain was chosed to be the Rector for the parish. Fr. Obenchain retired in 1999, and a search commenced for a new Rector.
Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Mertz
Rector
Bio coming soon
Mary Clark
Administrator and Treasurer
Mary joined St. Christopher’s Church in 1985. She stayed because of the music and the welcoming community. During her 40 years here, Mary has served numerous times on the Vestry, often as Accounting Warden or Treasurer. She has been a member of the Choir, and the Outreach Committee. Currently, she is the Parish Administrator and Treasurer, and serves as Chair of the Property Committee and Co-Chair of the Project and Planning Committee.
Our Vestry Leadership
Donna McLimans
Rector’s Warden
I am a retired nurse, and I started coming to St. Christopher’s 6 years ago. I was looking for a way to be useful in the community and reconnect with my religious beliefs. What I found was a loving and welcoming group of people, a Pastor with insightful homilies, a loving heart, and a vision for the future of our community. I enjoy being a part of the outreach ministry we provide. St. Christopher’s feels like home to me. I enjoy being on the Project and Planning committee and feel that we can make a difference in the Oxford area. I am honored to serve as the Rector’s Warden and to serve with this great group of individuals.
Steve Muschelli
Deputy Warden
Steven Muschelli has been a dedicated member of our parish community, serving on the vestry for six years, including two years as Deputy Warden. Currently serving another three-year term and selected again as Deputy Warden, he provides invaluable leadership, wise counsel, and maintains confidentiality. Steven has been a major contributor, organizer, and promoter of key church events like the Yard Sale, Cookie Walk, Christmas Bazaar, Celtic Dinner Tribute to King Charles I, and Friends Folk Club Concerts, which serve as fundraisers and community outreach events. Steven’s dedication is supported by his wife, Erica, and their children, Ryan and Jenna. They embody the spirit of our parish community, and we are grateful for Steven’s ongoing contributions and leadership.
Michele Strehlau
Secretary
Michele joined St. Christopher’s Church in 2015. She is a wife, mother and registered nurse. She is married to her loving husband, Matt and they have 3 daughters, Siena, Mya and Layla. Their family would not be complete without their pet cat, Diamond. When she is not working as the Vestry secretary or coordinating church blood drives, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and yoga. Michele is also a second degree Reiki practitioner.
Our Vestry Members
Nicole Powels
Nicole joined St. Christopher’s Church in 2014. She is married to Rob and they have 2 children, Bram and Amelia. Their house wouldn’t be complete without their 2 dogs (Ella and Tucker), chickens, and goats. She works as a school-based occupational therapist for Cecil County Public Schools. Niki manages St. Christopher’s Social Media accounts and enjoys participating and organizing Church Fundraisers and Community Events. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and camping in their RV. Her goal is to visit all the US National Parks.
Zach Slaughter
“I’ve been a part of St. Christopher’s my whole life. The sense of community has been a major reason I continue to attend every Sunday. I am honored to be a member of the vestry and look forward to giving my insight as a younger member of the community. My hope is to lead more youth and people my age to the faith and show them what the Lord can do for them in their lives.”
Teri Hines
I am Teri Hines and I have been on a 60+ year faith journey, finding my way to the Episcopal Church in the early 2000s. My husband, Bill McAvoy, and our 3 dogs recently moved into the Kemblesville area of Chester County and are delighted that we found a home with St. Christophers. It is at St. Christophers where we are welcomed as family, our questions and wonders embraced, and where we are invited to live more fully into our relationship with each other, our community, and God.
Kyle Phillips
My name is Kyle Phillips. I’ve been a member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal church since Easter, 2024 and a member of the Episcopal church since 2014. I found my way to St. Christopher’s after relocating from Colorado to Oxford, PA. St. Christopher’s was the answer to my search to deepen my faith and commitment to God and the community. I’ve been inspired and driven to not only return to church and grow in my faith, but to be in this community of St. Christopher’s Episcopal church. I cherish St. Christopher’s commitment to the congregation and the community of Oxford and the surrounding areas.
Christine Anderson
My journey with St. Christophers began because of my love of service and desire to help others. As a real estate agent I help people at milestone moments in their lives. From buying their first home and starting a family to packing up the memories and moving to assisted living. I’m so happy that I found St. Christophers. I love the sense of community, service and family that we have here. I’m honored to serve on the vestry and I’m excited to see the great things in store for St. Christophers and the Oxford community.
- Expires in 2026
- Andrea Slivinski
- Michelle Strehlau
- Kyle Phillips
- Expires in 2027
- Mary Clark
- Chris Anderson
- Niki Powels
- Zach Slaughter (Youth)
- Expires in 2028
- Donna McLimans
- Steve Muschelli
- Teri Hines
Have questions about St. Christopher's?
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