05/28/2026
Celebration of New Ministry! See invitation in the comments below.
All are welcome! Please join us on Sunday, May 31 at 10AM.
Historic Christ Church Celebrates New Ministry
[Bayfield, WI] Christ Church in Bayfield recently announced that the Reverend Art Hancock has accepted the call to serve as Vicar of the historic church that has served the Chequamegon Bay area for more than 150 years. The community is invited to a joyous Celebration of New Ministry service on Sunday, May 31, at 10:00AM. The Reverend Canon Scott Leannah, Canon of the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin, will preside over the service. Following the service and a celebratory luncheon, clergy of The Episcopal Church look forward to participating in the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at the Bayfield harbor.
With more than 30 years as an Episcopal priest, Hancock most recently served as Rector of Saint John in the Wilderness [White Bear Lake, MN] since 2018, where he served as the chief pastor, teacher, and worship leader. His religious leadership experience also includes 20+ years as the Executive Director of Crosswoods Adventure Camp in Mason, Wisconsin, where every year hundreds of youth spend a week deepening their relationship with God through high intensity adventure ministry in beautiful Bayfield County.
Senior Warden Linda Georgeson, who led the search for a new priest, is excited to work with Hancock and the congregation to minister to the Chequamegon Bay community. "The wardens, vestry, and members of Christ Church are delighted to welcome Father Art as our new Vicar. He is known for his exceptional parish leadership skills and his deep commitment to fostering a vibrant faith community. With Father Art's guidance, Christ Church will continue on its journey of faith with renewed love, hope, and joy in serving the Lord and His children."
Fondly known as Father Art to his congregants, he is simply Dad to his six grown children, now all soaring on their own paths. In his free time, he finds joy in kayaking, canoeing, skiing, backpacking, and immersing himself in the beauty of God’s creation.
Christ Church traces its origins to 1856, when early settlers arrived in Bayfield, envisioning a thriving inland seaport. Their dream took shape as land was secured, a chapel was built, and on April 8, 1870, the church was officially founded as Christ Church Mission of Bayfield. In 2019, Christ Church merged with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Ashland, to become Christ Church, The Episcopal Church of Chequamegon Bay. Today, this sacred space stands as one of Wisconsin's best-preserved historic Carpenter's Gothic churches, which has been proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.
A welcoming and affirming church, Christ Church is located at 125 North 3rd Street in Bayfield.
For more information, visit www.christchurchbayfield.org or contact Senior Warden Linda Georgeson at [email protected].
Copy of invitation is posted in the comments below.
The Episcopal Church
Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin
Episcopal Church in Minnesota
Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church
CrossWoods Adventure Camp LLC.
