Brian Prall  is a native of DeKalb, Illinois, famous for barbed wire, Cindy Crawford, and the agricultural logo with the flying ear of corn. He is a lifelong Episcopalian and the grandson of an Episcopal priest.
Brian earned a B.A. in history from Northern Illinois University. While attending NIU, he met
his wife, Ellen, working together at the library. Ellen graduated with a degree in music education
and has been teaching elementary music for nineteen years.
After briefly considering a Masters in Library Science, Brian instead discerned a call for holy
orders in the Diocese of Chicago. He attended Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas,
graduating with his MDiv. in 2018. In June of that year, he was ordained to the priesthood by the
Rt. Rev. Jeff Lee at St. James Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois.
Since ordination, Brian has served as the rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Freeport, Illinois.
He has been involved in several ministries in Freeport, including the Freeport Area Church
Cooperative, an ecumenical ministry that stewards a homeless shelter and food pantry; Hope
WINS, a non-profit that focuses on providing tools and experiences for children and their parents
to grow and succeed, including families of neurodivergent children and kids who come from
trauma; and an affiliate of Rebuilding Together. Brian also facilitates a grief group for parents
who have lost children, volunteers as an on-call hospital chaplain, and conducts a once-a-month
service at St. Andrew’s in Monroe, Wisconsin.
Brian and Ellen have two children and a dog named Aria. They are
excited to join St. John’s in Canandaigua and look forward to serving God in Christ in their new
community.

Contact Fr. Brian: stjohnsrectorcan@gmail.com