About The Clergy

The Reverend Ronald W. Parker, D.Min is the Rector of Christ Church Ithan

Fr. Parker has been the Rector of Christ Church Ithan since December 1992, following a twelve-year tenure as Rector of St Paul's Episcopal Church in Bound Brook, New Jersey. Prior to that calling, he served as Curate for three years at St. Luke’s Episcopal church in Metuchen, New Jersey.

He earned a Doctorate of Ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation at Notre Dame and a Masters in Pastoral Studies from the New York Theological Seminary. Fr. Parker also studied for the priesthood at the General Episcopal Seminary in New York.  Before preparing for a life of Christian service, Fr. Parker earned undergraduate degrees in Music Composition and in Music Education from Comb’s College of Music, in cooperation with the University of Pennsylvania.

Fr. Parker has served as a professor in several settings over the years. He taught Pastoral Care at Saint Sophia’s Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary, and was professor of music at the New School University in New York City. He has also worked as a studio musician and accompanist for several stars including Judy Garland. He has lectured on the history of Jazz and has written a number of Jazz compositions that have been performed throughout the country.

Fr. Parker is married, and has two grown children, Annette and Stephen. His wife, Jo is the administrator of the Dolphins of Delaware Valley – a social service ministry committed to visiting the elderly in nursing homes. Fr. Parker and Jo are proud grandparents of two beautiful grandchildren.

The Reverend Win Richardson, is the Deacon of Christ Church Ithan

Rev. Winfield W. Richardson studied for the deaconate in the diocese of New Jersey. He was ordained a deacon in 1985 by the Rt. Rev. G.P. Melick Belshaw. Rev. Richardson has been a Deacon at Trinity, Cranford N.J., Trinity Gulf Mills, PA and Christ Church Ithan. He has served and chaired on many diocesan committees. He is also a Chaplain of the Order of St. Luke, a healing ministry in the Episcopal Church. Rev. Richardson was born in New York City, graduated from VPI, and  had a career in the science and technology field.