Wedding Officiants
A Listing of Local Authorized Officiants Who Welcome Same-Sex Couples
Marriage equality became the law in Pennsylvania in May 2014.
But same-sex couples who wish to wed may still may face prejudice. The number of churches that will allow their clergy to conduct same-sex weddings is still small. And a judge may refuse to perform a ceremony.
This listing was inspired in large part by an incident last fall, when an Erie district justice turned away a same-sex couple on their wedding day. We wanted to provide a resource where couples did not have to risk feeling the sting of prejudice on their special day.
All of the officiants in this listing have contacted us and specifically stated that they want to be included.
We contacted all district and town justices in Erie, Crawford, and Chautauqua counties. Although only a handful told us they wanted to be included in our listing, it is our sense that there are many more.
One judge wrote to us with an explanation that may be a common sentiment: "I do marriages," he wrote. "And, in fact, I have done a couple same-sex marriages. However, I would prefer not being listed in a directory. I would like to focus on serving the citizens in my area and not reaching out to persons in other areas served by other courts."
We are grateful to all who have allowed us to list them as welcoming officiants. We will be adding to this listing as time goes along. And hopefully, at some point in our lifetimes, a special listing won't be needed anymore!
Best Wishes!
Deb & Mike
Rev. Dr. Donald L. Baxter, Jr., VICAR
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
4701 Old French Road, Erie, PA 16509
(814) 868-9704
"Although I can currently only do the religious aspect of blessing a marriage, my wife, who is a Federal Judge, can perform the legal union. We have already performed several weddings in this manner as we are both strong proponents of marriage equality."
Rebecca Baxter
MacBaxter's Bed and Breakfast
311 N. Main St., Angola NY 14006
(716) 549-8774 [email protected]
www.macbaxters.com
Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Bodie
Unitarian Universalist Minister
Ginger Hill Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Slippery Rock, PA
[email protected] (724) 421-6004
The Rev. Ross I. Carmichael, Pastor
St. Andrew Lutheran Church (ELCA)
304 Morewood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 682-3342 [email protected]
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
District Justice Tom Carney
809 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 451-6528 (814) 451-6529
"I do not judge people. I do my job, I'm an elected official, and I've already done seven same-sex marriages last year. I'll continue to do so...I'm not going to change my policy. I'll be fair and consistent to everybody."
[Editor's note: It was Judge Carney who married the two women who'd earlier been turned away by another judge]
Rev Carmen Emerson
Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville
346 Chestnut Street, Meadvlle PA 16335
(814) 724-4023 [email protected]
Julia L Hamilton
814 449-1816, [email protected]
"Julia is ordained through the Universal Life Church, and is a practicing Buddhist. She is available to officiate and help create meaningful, non-traditional wedding ceremonies throughout northwest PA."
Paula and John King
[email protected] 716-365-9043
"We perform whatever kind of wedding ceremony you want. Have performed humanistic, agnostic, and pagan weddings. We are a married couple; you may use one or both of us."
Rev. Dr. Richard W. McCarty
Community United Church (UCC)
1011 West 38th Street, Erie, PA 16508.
814-864-4429 [email protected]
"The Rev. Dr. McCarty enjoys working with people to create wedding ceremonies that reflect the values of the couple. Having conducted weddings since 2001, and having helped with the marriage equality movement legally and religiously, Rich McCarty would be happy to help you celebrate your wedding!"
Rev. Sue Olson
(716)998-8496. [email protected]
greaterbuffaloweddings.com
Hon. Mindy N. Ostrander
Town of Kiantone Court
1521 Peck Settlement Rd., Jamestown, NY 14701
716-488-0031
"I'm the justice for the Town of Kiantone Court. I perform marriage ceremonies for everyone."
David A. Prince, Pomfret Town Justice
9-11 Church Street, Fredonia, NY 14063
(716) 672-6878
Rev Terry A. Purvis Smith
Titusville First Presbyterian Church
216 North Franklin Street
Titusville PA 16354
814-827-3665
Gregory P. Rabb
Jamestown NY City Council President and City Marriage Officer
(716)969-9524
Rev. Jodi Shay
[email protected] 814-724-9775
"I'm happy to officiate creative weddings and weddings in non-church venues! We can work together to make your special day a uniquely ‘you' experience or put together a more ‘traditional' format"
Denominational connection: United Church of Christ.
Pastor Jayson Stoltz
[email protected]
"I'm licensed in Ohio and have officiated in PA."
Rev. Dr. Jane Suprynowicz (Erie, PA).
[email protected]
"I am an ordained Spiritualist Minister and have performed wedding ceremonies since 1996. Just last year in June, I officiated over my second same sex wedding.
My website is www.revjane.net.
Rev. Christopher Temple
19492 Grange Center Road
Saegertown, PA 16433
[email protected] (814) 720-1560
"All my information is public and available. As a duly ordained and consecrated member of ADF [Ár nDraíocht Féin] clergy, I am cleared for officiating all forms of legal weddings in PA and surrounding areas. Part of our training is to keep up-to-date on these laws."
Mayor Jason White
814-440-1476 [email protected]
The Rev. David F Wooledge
306 West 11th Street, Suite 1
Erie PA 16501
(814) 602-0510 cell, may be forwarded to another number
Diana Zemniak
814-835-3392; [email protected]
"Diana Ziemniak is a non-denominational minister serving Erie, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Diana creates unique, personalized, and meaningful ceremonies for today's diverse couples. She looks forward to working with you to create "Your wedding, Your way"." Website: 2haveand2hold.weebly.com
Tips
Unless you simply want someone who will "make it official," you may want to give some thought to your choice of officiant. Look around online for some tips in choosing someone who will suit your preferences.
