All Saints Appoints John Churchwell as Music Director

All Saints Episcopal Church of the North Shore recently welcomed John Churchwell as its new music director.

A supremely talented pianist, organist and vocalist, Churchwell engages Sunday worshippers with his gifts of musical devotion on All Saints’ pipe organ, built by the Schlicker Pipe Organ Company, and on the Steinway grand piano. He has actively and creatively embraced the unique challenges of providing music to All Saints’ one congregation on three platforms (in person and concurrently on Zoom and on Facebook Live) during the Covid pandemic.

According to All Saints’ Rector, Marya DeCarlen, John Churchwell’s knowledge of sacred music, his professional training and his deep-seated gift for bringing music to life through his playing make him a perfect choice for music director.

“John’s musicianship provides a background for worship that is richly emotional and inspiring,” Rev. DeCarlen says. “Parishioners frequently comment on the powerful impact John’s keyboard work has on their church experience. We are delighted to have him at All Saints.”

Churchwell brings a blend of classic and contemporary Christian music to worship every Sunday, as well as occasionally offering rich vocals. Additionally, he provides music for special services, including weddings and funerals. As part of his responsibilities at All Saints, Churchwell works with the worship team, making music choices for all services that connect with liturgical themes and scripture and is an active member of the church technology and evangelism team that is charged with creating the uniquely seamless worship interactions All Saints provides on all three platforms (in person, Zoom and Facebook Live).

A native of Magazine, Arkansas, John Churchwell is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, where he majored in music education and minored in piano performance.

His significant experience as a church musician includes having served as choirmaster and organist for First Presbyterian Church Little Rock, Arkansas, and associate director of music and worship arts at the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

John Churchwell resides in Gloucester, MA, with his husband Kip Ellis and their beloved Bassett Hound pup, Sheriff, who frequently accompanies him to All Saints for music rehearsals.

Churchwell’s professional memberships include the Handbell Musicians of America, the American Choral Directors Association, and the Merrimack Valley Guild of Organists.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, singing at All Saints has been limited to solos but once restrictions are lifted, Churchwell is poised to rebuild the All Saints choir, which he will direct and accompany, and offer expanded music ministry experiences open to all in the community.

Churchwell is currently preparing an afternoon of sacred piano worship called "Piano Excursions," on Sunday, October 17 at 3 p.m. For more information, please visit the All Saints' Web site.

All Saints Episcopal Church of the North Shore is located at 46 Cherry Street, Danvers, MA., directly across from the Danvers Town Hall. Sunday worship is at 9:00 a.m. in person,
on Zoom and on Facebook Live. Join us. You’ll be glad you did!