The Rev'd Stephen Batten, -  Rector

Stephen received his Bachelor of Arts (Religion/Islamic Studies) was awarded in 1989 by Duke University and his Juris Doctor was granted in 1993 by The University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill.

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After a twenty year career as an immigration attorney in North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, he attended the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree on May 17, 2018.

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The Rev'd Stephen Batten began his ordained ministry in the summer of 2018, and was ordained presbyter on December 16, 2018. He has served as the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Chocowinity, North Carolina for the past six years.

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He has many years serving on various Boards and Committees prior to seminary. Stephen has served as a member of Executive Council (2020 to present), Deputy to the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, on the Worship & Liturgy Committee (2020-present), as Chair pf the Constitution and Canons Committee (2022-present) and as Chair of the Special Joint Committee on Resolutions/Constitution and Canons for the 139th Annual Diocesan Convention.  
 

 

Eric Dolch, Sr. - Director of Music & Organist

Originally from the Pine Barrens of South Jersey, Eric moved from New Hampshire to Virginia Beach in the summer of 2022 with his wife Mary (Organist & Choirmaster at Galilee Church, Virginia Beach) and their two young sons, Eric Jr. (5) and Abraham (3). Eric most recently served as the Director of Sacred Music & Organist at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, NH where he oversaw a vibrant, growing music program of several staff and a large children chorister program. Eric also served a number of churches throughout NJ and CT, including as Director of Music & Organist at the National Historic Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentine in Atlantic City, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Parish in Darien. During his time in NJ, Eric served on the board and as Sub-Dean of the Southeast Jersey Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In his free time, Eric enjoys spending time outdoors camping, hunting, kayaking, and hiking with his family and dogs Hildegard (Newfoundland) and Stevie (Great Dane/Lab mix).

 

Eric has been familiar with the Eastern Shore and Hungars Cure since 2008 when he began vacationing with friends at Smith Beach. One day while walking the beach, he met local organist Eileen Chapman who arranged a place for Eric to practice while vacationing on the Shore..."a lovely little church next to a corn field", Christ Church. Showing that we can never expect the path God has set out for us, 14 years later Eric joined the staff as Director of Music & Organist.

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Eric can be reached by email at hungarscuremusic@gmail.com