We are pleased to announce that The Right Rev’d Kevin Robertson, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Toronto, has confirmed the candidate recommended by the Parish Selection Committee and has appointed The Reverend Jessica Dowling to the office of Incumbent of St. George’s on-the-Hill beginning September 1, 2025.
The Rev’d Jessica Dowling (she/her) brings a passion to developing a long-term relationship with our parish, a commitment to our community, encouraging community outreach and a deep commitment to pastoral care.
Ms Dowling received her Masters of Divinity from Trinity College in 2022. After completing her internship at St. George’s on-the-hill in 2022, she was ordained a transitional deacon in 2022 and a priest in 2023. Ms Dowling served as Priest-in-Charge at St. Luke’s East York from 2024-2025 and Assistant Curate at St. Margaret’s New Toronto from 2022-2024. Her ministry at St. Margaret’s focused on the importance of outreach in the community, family ministry and support of the Dorothy Ley Hospice.
Ms Dowling had a previous career in nursing, where she worked with many different populations in a variety of clinical settings. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008 and a Masters of Science in Nursing in 2013, both from the University of Ottawa. Her primary area of expertise is adolescent psychiatry and eating disorders where she worked in a variety of roles both in and out of the hospital.
Due to her background in healthcare and ministry, Ms Dowling holds a variety of additional certifications including Godly Play, psychiatric and mental health nursing, and non-violent crisis intervention. She also completed the Companions program at Sisterhood of St. John the Divine and is now an Associate in the community.
Ms Dowling lives in the High Park area with her wife, Michelle, their daughter Annie, and their very grumpy senior cat, Puck. In her free time, she enjoys biking, reading, going to the theatre, meandering around the community and spending time at her cottage at Big Bay Point.