The Rev. Christopher D. Hofer, Priest-in-Charge of Grace Episcopal Church, Mansfield, and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Ashland, has been serving the last several years (post Covid) as a supply priest for the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. In that capacity, he traveled throughout the Diocese preaching and celebrating the Holy Eucharist in over 25 churches.
Previously, Fr. Hofer served as Rector of the Church of St. Jude (Episcopal), Wantagh, New York, Long Island from 2004 – 2019. During his tenure, St. Jude’s membership and attendance tripled and Sunday School enrollment quadrupled. Fr. Christopher utilizes his experiences from St. Jude and assists the greater church through leading retreats on evangelism, church growth and mission development. He has a passion for spreading the Gospel in new and innovative ways to reach those who live on the margins. Due to the significant growth at St. Jude, the parish was one of five the Episcopal Church chose to be filmed for the documentary series, “Transforming Churches.”
Prior to St. Jude, Fr. Hofer was Associate Missioner with the Episcopal West Side Shared Ministry in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served on the Board of Trustees for the Episcopal Community Services Foundation and Community Corners. Before receiving a Master of Divinity degree from The General Theological Seminary, New York, New York, he had a career in marketing and communications, serving as Marketing Director for United Ways in Akron and Canton, Ohio. He graduated summa cum laude, Communication Studies, from Walsh University, North Canton, Ohio.
Fr. Hofer lives in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, with his cat of 16 years, Assumpta. He plans on relocating to the area in the New Year. Fr. Hofer is an avid traveler having visited over 35 countries on 5 continents. He will be adding his 6th continent, Antarctica, in January, 2025. Fr. Christopher spends his free time cooking, entertaining, hiking, reading, and volunteering at his home church’s community meal.
