Fr. Brian Wilbert has been a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio for over 60 years! He grew up at St. Andrew’s, Elyria and attended Harcourt Parish, Gambier during his four years as a student at Kenyon College. Fr. Brian earned a B.A. in Music from Kenyon (1982), a M. Div in Theology from the Bexley Hall Seminary (1985) and a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development from the Seabury Western Theological Seminary (2002). After his ordinations as a transitional deacon (1985) and priest (1986) he served as Curate of St. Michael’s in the Hills, Toledo (1985-1988), Rector of Grace Church, Ravenna (1988 -1996), Rector of Christ Church, Oberlin (1996-2019), Interim Assistant Rector at St. Paul’s, Cleveland Heights (2019-2020) and Interim Rector at Grace Church, Sandusky (2020 – 2022). He has served our Diocese and the wider Episcopal Church as a member of Diocesan Council (two separate terms), Standing Committee (three separate terms) as Alternate Deputy to three General Conventions (2000, 2012, 2018) as Deputy to two General Conventions (2009, 2015), as a member of the Kenyon Summer Conference planning Committee (1982 – 2012), as co-chair of the Episcopal Transition Committee (2004), and as Diocesan Archivist since 2013.

Fr. Brian and his spouse, Yorki Encalada Egusquiza (Visiting Assistant Professor in the Hispanic Studies Department and Director of La Casa Hispanica at Oberlin College) and their eight-year-old Rescue Jack Russell Terrier “Sancho Panza” just celebrated the third anniversary of owning a century old Victorian home in Oberlin.In addition to the work of the church Fr. Brian is a violinist, collects antique phonographs and clocks, and enjoys tinkering on a 1923 Model T Ford. He also is an avid historian and a student of World Religion. Fr. Brian feels it to be a privilege to be asked to serve as Interim Rector at historic St. Peter’s Church.
What I value most about St. Peter’s Church: As Diocesan Archivist I have appreciated getting to know the parish history and my favorite (but not original) saying about history is that it is a prologue to the future. St. Peter’s Church, Lakewood has a rich heritage which involves worship, formation, and outreach to the community. This heritage is a solid foundation on which to build the next chapter of ministry shared with a new Rector.