The Rev. Peter Coelho
Peter began serving as Rector at Ascension in September 2024. As Rector Peter serves the community by directing the staff and clergy, leading the community in worship, and working with the Vestry to seek that Ascension follows Jesus faithfully and authentically. Before moving to Pittsburgh late in summer 2024, Peter was founding rector of Church of the Cross Austin. The Coelho family lived in Austin for 13 years and are excited to be putting down roots in Pittsburgh.
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Peter grew up in the Pentecostal tradition, with a desire to serve the local church from an early age. After studying communications at Simon Fraser University in the Vancouver area, Peter and his wife, Shannon, lived for two years in Hiroshima, Japan. The Coelhos returned to Vancouver where Peter completed an MDiv at Regent College before moving to Austin where Peter first served as a associate rector at Christ Church.
Peter and his family love to watch movies and read stories together, to play baseball, and are already enjoying exploring Pittsburgh many parks!
The Rev. Peter Coelho, Rector