SCI Welcomes New Ministry On The River Chaplain In St. Louis
The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has welcomed the Rev. Charles Uhlik as its newest Ministry on the River chaplain. Based in St. Louis, Uhlik will serve mariners along the Upper Mississippi River from St. Louis north to Minneapolis.
Uhlik brings experience in ministry, military chaplaincy, private industry and service to mariners. He most recently served for 11 years as rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah, Ky., where he became connected with SCI and the inland maritime community.
His introduction to the river industry came more than six years ago through a former SCI chaplain, the Rev. Kempton Baldridge, who took Uhlik aboard towboats and introduced him to captains and mariners. The experience led Uhlik to become a volunteer SCI chaplain associate and eventually return to chaplaincy work.
A native of Fremont, Neb., Uhlik began his ministry as a Roman Catholic priest and served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve. His military service included an assignment with an artillery unit in Nuremberg, Germany, service during Operation Desert Storm and clinical work at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Uhlik later worked as a supervisor with Roadway Express before entering the Episcopal Church. After completing two years of Anglican studies, he was received as an Episcopal priest in 2005. His ministry has included congregations in Missouri, Minnesota and Kentucky.
His placement in St. Louis also marks the completion of SCI’s $5 million capital campaign to expand its Ministry on the River program. The initiative is intended to strengthen the organization’s ability to provide pastoral care and practical support to mariners throughout the U.S. inland river system and Gulf Coast.
“Having Charles in St. Louis is the capstone of our effort to expand Ministry on the River,” said the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, SCI president and executive director. “Their commitment has allowed us to build a stronger chaplaincy presence across the inland waterways, and Charles is a wonderful addition to that team.”
In his new role, Uhlik will visit vessels and crews along the Upper Mississippi, providing pastoral care and a consistent, confidential presence for mariners.
He joins three other Ministry on the River chaplains serving inland waterways and Gulf Coast regions: the Rev. Grace Pardun, supervisory chaplain, based in Paducah and serving the Upper Mississippi and Ohio rivers; the Rev. Geoff Davis, serving the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf Coast; and the Rev. Nancy Simpson, serving the Houston Ship Channel and Gulf Coast.
The chaplains are supported by SCI chaplain associates located along U.S. waterways and shorelines.
“I am excited to join SCI in St. Louis, as it feels like a natural extension of my roots in chaplaincy and the work I’ve been called to throughout my ministry,” Uhlik said. “I’m excited for this next chapter and honored to meet them where they are, listen to what they’re facing and support them however I can.”
Featured photo caption: The Rev. Charles Uhlick will serve as the Seamen’s Church Institute’s new Ministry on the River chaplain. Based on St. Louis, Mo., he will serve the Upper Mississippi between Minneapolis, Minn., and St. Louis.(Photo courtesy of SCI)
