Staff & Vestry

The Rev. Adrian Dannhauser was raised as a Southern Baptist in Mississippi. It took the Episcopal Church in New York City, however, to bring out her passion for spreading the Gospel. She discovered the Episcopal Church in her mid-twenties and still marvels at its many gifts – ancient tradition, progressive theology, an invitation to question, an emphasis on social justice, liturgical space for contemplation, and Christian community grounded in the Eucharist. As Rector, Adrian gets to be involved in nearly every aspect of life at Incarnation, from preaching, teaching, pastoral care and leadership development, to budgets, administration and financial stewardship. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Incarnation Center. Adrian is particularly passionate about evangelism and mission, seeking to empower others to share God’s love through faith-filled conversation in daily life and service to those in need.

Prior to arriving at the Church of the Incarnation, Adrian served just up the street at St. James’ Church on Madison Ave. She is active in several Episcopal and ecumenical ministries, is a member of the Women’s Forum of New York, chairs the Episcopal Diocese of New York Task Force Against Human Trafficking, and serves on the Board of Directors of PACT, the leading anti-trafficking policy organization in the United States. In 2017, she was selected as a New York Nonprofit Media 40 Under 40 Rising Stars honoree for her efforts to combat human trafficking in hotels. Her work in this arena has also been featured by BBC World Service.

Before ordained ministry, Adrian practiced corporate bankruptcy law and financial restructuring at the Wall Street firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. She also has a history in dance ministry and a lifelong love of ballet. Adrian holds a B.A. from Duke University, a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. She is married to Jess Dannhauser, NYC Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services. They have a teenaged daughter, Callaway.

Browse Adrian’s Blog to learn about her ministry of offering blessings on the sidewalk in front of the church. Her book, Ask Me for a Blessing (You Know You Need One) was published in September 2022 and is featured in The Publishers Weekly 2022 Holiday Gift Guide.

Click here to watch a video of her book launch, with remarks from New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

Contact the Rev. Adrian Dannhauser

Ordained in 2011, Deacon Denise has served as parish deacon for St. John’s in the Village and St. Peter’s Chelsea. In addition, she is also Associate Deacon for Ecclesia Ministries, where an outdoor Eucharist is celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, making “church” available to homeless and needy individuals.

As Director of Deacon Formation and Transition for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, Deacon Denise is charged with shepherding the Deacon Postulants through formation and supporting the deacons in the Diocese as their ministries unfold.

Deacon Denise is a 2013 graduate of General Theological Seminary (M.A. Christian Spirituality). Her secular career was in Human Resources, and she is a trained Life/Career Coach. Deacon Denise is a native New Yorker, having lived in Brooklyn and Queens, and in Manhattan on the East Side since 1992.

Canon Brandt received his BA from Franklin and Marshall College, his JD from Boston College, and his MDiv from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. He was a practicing attorney with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, US Attorney’s Office, SDNY, before going into private practice with Rogers and Wells.

Following completion of his MDiv degree, he was ordained by Bishops Paul Moore and James Montgomery. He has served in many different capacities in Chicago, Buffalo, Atlanta, NYC, and Central Africa. Canon Brandt has written extensively about Afro-Anglicanism (see especially Anglican Theological Review, vol. 89, No. 1 (Winter 2007)). Canon Brandt was Rector of St Michael’s Church in NYC from which he retired in 2013 after 17 years of service.