Our Staff

Ellen Williams Hensle, Senior Minister and Head of Staff

Ellen Williams Hensle is thrilled to join PCCH as Senior Minister and Head of Staff! She comes to Philadelphia from Austin, TX, where she served for seven years as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Discipleship at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Though she was most recently in Texas, Rev. Hensle is a Pennsylvania native, having grown up in the Harrisburg area. She fell in love with the city of Philadelphia during her time studying English at the University of Pennsylvania. Following three further years of campus ministry and library work there, Rev. Hensle earned her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary before moving to Austin. Fitting right in with PCCH’s love of music, Rev. Hensle enjoys singing and playing piano and horn. She is wife to Tom and proud mom to young Albert.

Cynthia Jarvis, Pastor Emerita

For twenty-three years, Cynthia Jarvis served with distinction as the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. Many of you were the recipients of Cindy’s grace-filled ministry—her preaching and worship leadership, her pastoral care, her care for and enhancement of our building, her lifting up of music and arts, her support of mission in the city of Philadelphia, her commitment to the inclusivity of the church.

In the Presbyterian world, ministers who have retired after such distinguished service with a congregation may be afforded the honorary title of “pastor emeritus.” We are very glad to report that the Session has done just that—named Cynthia Jarvis Pastor Emeritus of the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill.

Daniel Spratlan, Director of Music

Daniel Spratlan is currently in his 10th year as director of music at PCCH. He is also the Director of Choral Studies at Drexel University, where he conducts the University Chorus and Chamber Singers. He has served on the conducting faculties at Haverford College, Temple University, and Rutgers University. He earned his doctorate in choral conducting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, his M. M. in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College, and B. A. in music from Earlham College. An active professional singer, he is in his 15th season singing with the two-time Grammy Award-winning choir The Crossing, which has been in residence at PCCH since it’s inception. He has performed with ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic, New York Choral Artists, Clarion Choir, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Piffaro, Tempesta di Mare, San Francisco Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

EMAIL: danielspratlan@gmail.com

Julie Snyder, Director of Children’s Education

Julie Snyder is a member of the Gallery Choir and serves as our director of children’s education. She owns and operates the Snyder School of Singing, in Erdenheim, where she has taught private voice for twenty years and has created and led camps, courses, and workshops for students of all ages. Dr. Snyder served on the adjunct faculty of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University for seventeen years, and taught private voice (classical and musical theater), class voice, vocal repertoire, music theory, and vocal diction. During that time, she also served as an accompanist and advisor for several courses in the musical theater program. Additionally, Dr. Snyder is a professional-level pianist, vocal coach, and diction coach. As a performer, Dr. Snyder is equally at home in choral, opera, operetta, musical theater, and recital settings. She has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Opera Philadelphia, and the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra to name a few.

Dr. Snyder holds a Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance from Susquehanna University, and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in voice performance from Temple University. She now resides in Erdenheim with her two children.

EMAIL: jsbishop717@gmail.com

Kate McGill Magid, Director of Youth Ministry

Kate McGill Magid is a life-long member of PCCH and is now raising her two school-age boys in the Church. Kate has served on our session for the last six years and is very much looking forward to serving PCCH in this new role. For years, Kate has worked as an adjunct Professor at a local college both teaching and heading the department’s internship program. In that role, she mentored and coached young people as they navigated and discerned their career paths. She loves working with young people and is thrilled to begin her journey with the wonderful youth at PCCH as they grow in their faith and enjoy fun and fellowship. When she is not at PCCH, Kate serves the local community of Springfield as its Magisterial District Judge. Kate and her husband Zak live in Springfield with their two sons.

EMAIL: kmcgillmagid@chestnuthillpres.org

Jeffrey DeVault, Organist

Jeffrey is currently in his first year at PCCH. For the past 25 years, he has served as both organist and music director in various local PC(USA) churches including Swarthmore Presbyterian Church. He is a graduate of Temple University where he received the Master of Music degree in Piano Performance. He was a finalist in the American Guild of Organists Regional Competition for Young Organists and the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival. He has accompanied various soloists, choirs, and chamber ensembles in the Philadelphia area including world-renowned violinist David Kim (who he regularly accompanies), members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Opera Philadelphia Chorus. Jeffrey has performed on concert stages throughout the country including Carnegie Hall and Verizon Hall. He is currently Associate Professor of Mathematics at Delaware County Community College and lives in West Chester with his wife and three children.

EMAIL: jeffdevault@gmail.com

Rachel Cline, Church Administrator

Rachel most recently was employed as an Administrative Associate and Technical Theater Director at Allens Lane Art Center (ALAC) in Mount Airy. As the Technical Theater Director, she was responsible for all technical aspects of the ALAC theater program, including volunteer coordination, budget development and management, and theater space use. As an administrative associate, Rachel provided customer support to patrons of ALAC, managed ALAC’s calendar, developed communications materials, and provided daily office support. Rachel graduated from Juniata College with a Bachelor of Arts in theater studies & professional communication, and a minor in marketing. She earned a project management certificate and is currently working towards a construction management certificate – both from Temple University.

Rachel is a passionate and active member of the Mt. Airy community with 6+ years of experience working and volunteering in Philadelphia.

EMAIL: rcline@chestnuthillpres.org

Mariangela Saavedra, Director, The Center on the Hill

Mariangela Saavedra has been a resident of Mt. Airy for over 13 years, and a proud Philadelphian for more than 16. She is originally from Northern Virginia, and spent some time living in West Virginia, North Carolina and Chicago, before settling here in 2008. Mariangela is deeply connected to her community and volunteers her time at The Stagecrafters Theater in Chestnut Hill and Allens Lane Art Center in Mt. Airy. She enjoys working with children and adults in all sorts of creative endeavors that impact people of all ages in the area. She is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Casabuena Cultural Productions, a theater and film company based in Mt. Airy. Before coming to work at The Center on the Hill in February of 2019, she worked as the Patron Services Manager for The Kimmel Center, and was the Office Manager for Commonwealth Youthchoirs. She really enjoys engaging with people and developing strong and lasting relationships within our community through her work at The Center on the Hill.

EMAIL: msaavedra@chestnuthillpres.org

Megan Cullen, Director of PCCH Preschool

Megan is a lifelong resident of Chestnut Hill. A graduate of Springside School and Temple University, she began her early education as a three-year-old at the PCCH Preschool. Her three children are also alumni of PCCH’s Preschool. Megan taught at the PCCH Preschool between 2010-2021. In 2018, she added strategic planning, billing and enrollment management to her teaching responsibilities. From 2021 to 2023, Megan was the PCCH Church Business Administrator. Prior to joining the PCCH preschool faculty, Megan’s career centered on service-learning and nonprofit management. She returned to PCCH Preschool as its sixth director in June 2023.

EMAIL: preschool@chestnuthillpres.org

Mary Frommer, Office & Media Coordinator

Mary is a proud Northwest Philadelphia native who is thrilled to join the team at PCCH, where she attended preschool in the early 90’s! Mary is deeply rooted in the Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill communities as a lifelong resident (she was born right next door, at Chestnut Hill Hospital). Her most recent work experience includes Quintessence Theatre, where she was the Development & Education Assistant, and Allens Lane Art Center, where she was the Office Manager & Registrar. Mary is an extremely proud graduate of Central High School (266th graduating class) and Arcadia University where she earned her BFA in Painting.

EMAIL: mfrommer@chestnuthillpres.org

Leslie Lefer, Communications Coordinator

EMAIL: communications@chestnuthillpres.org

Felix Delgado, Sexton

Felix joined the PCCH staff in May of 2006.