Our Parish Clergy and Staff

Pilar Parnell is a native of Upstate New York and moved to the Northern Neck upon graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary in May of 2017. Since then life has been constantly changing in many exciting ways. In July of 2018, Pilar and the Reverend Scott Parnell (Rector of Ware Church in Gloucester) married. They welcomed their first daughter, Charlene, into the world in June of 2019.

Pilar received her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Fredonia in English, with a minor in religious studies. She received her Masters of Divinity upon completing three years of study at Virginia Theological Seminary. Prior to her call to St. Stephen's, Pilar served as the Associate Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock. Before her call to the Northern Neck, Pilar served in several capacities as a priest formation intern in the Diocese of Western New York, as well as the seminarian at Immanuel Church on the Hill, Alexandria, VA. Pilar came to her calling through her mission work in El Salvador. 

As she has grown in her call, she has felt a pull towards intergenerational and family ministry, as well as pastoral care. 

In addition, Pilar is a classically trained vocalist. She enjoys all things singing and can often be heard humming. These days she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling.

Please contact Pilar at, pilar@ststephensheathsville.org

Chris Bowen was born, raised and still lives in Lancaster County. She is single and has two grown children -Tara, who lives with her husband and daughter in Charlottesville and Jason, who lives with his wife and 2 daughters in Newport News.

Chris has held several office-type jobs over the years-the main one being the Office Coordinator for Rappahannock General Home Health Agency. A position she held for 36 years. This office has since closed and now she works for the rehab department at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington part time, as well as recently joining St. Stephen's Church as Parish Administrator. 

Chris is a member of Menokin Baptist Church in Warsaw and very active as clerk, secretary, worship leader, preparer of bulletins as well as meal and correspondence activities.

Chris loves to read, do volunteer work for her church, baking, caring for her mother in White Stone and spending time in either Charlottesville or Newport News with children and grandchildren. She loves to watch her flowers grow and show their colors, but hates the weeds. 

Please contact Chris at, administrator@ststephensheathsville.org

Dr. Cheryl Brown Davis received a  Bachelor of Music Ed. degree from Madison College in 1971, a Master of  Music in vocal performance and choral conducting from The University of  Michigan and in 1990, a Doctor of Education degree from the University of  Virginia in Curriculum and Instruction. In 1972 Dr. Brown Davis began her teaching career in the Cheboygan, Michigan, public schools where she  taught music in grades k-12. From 1973-1977 she taught choral music at  Ferguson High School in Newport News. For ten years she taught vocal music in the Rockingham Co. Virginia Schools, two years in the Ann Arbor Michigan Public Schools and for five years taught at North Dakota State  University. From 1998-2007, Dr. Brown taught vocal music in Albemarle Co. Virginia at the middle school and high school levels. After her husband retired in 2007, Dr. Brown Davis returned to Newport News and  taught at Riverside Elementary School until her retirement in 2011.  During 1978-1983, while teaching choral music in Rockingham County, Dr. Brown Davis was adjunct teacher of voice and choir at Mary Baldwin College, sang with the Shenandoah Choral Society, organized and directed  the first Shenandoah Valley Children’s Chorus, directed the Staunton  Chapter of Sweet Adelines, and directed a professional vocal jazz  ensemble, “Jasmine”. From 1987-1990, while a doctoral student at the  University of Virginia, Dr. Brown Davis sang with the University  Singers, was a member of the University Arts Council and the Jefferson Society, and worked as a guide at the Rotunda. In 1989, she was elected  into the Raven Society and co-directed the Glee Club, the first and only  woman ever to direct that group. Dr. Brown Davis has been a frequent  guest conductor and vocal music adjudicator in district and state  festivals for the past thirty-five years in Virginia, Michigan and North  Dakota. She continues to perform as a guest soprano soloist and choral  conductor. She worked as private voice instructor and clinician at both  Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan and the International Music Camp in  Canada. In 2005 she was named the “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” at  Monticello High School where she was the department chair. From  1976-2007, her choral groups maintained a superior rating in festival  competition. Since 1998 she has been an adjudicator for Spectrum of  Richmond and the Fiesta-Val Music Competitions. She conducts the  ANNUAL Messiah “Sing-In” each December held at Kilmarnock United  Methodist Church. She retired from teaching in June 2011 and lives in  Heathsville with her husband William Davis. She is the Artistic Director  of the Chesapeake Chorale and is active in numerous local and statewide  civic and artistic activities.

Please contact her at, Cheryl_Davis@woodberry.org