The decision to become a clergyman came by surprise to the Rev. Bradford Clark, who grew up “at arms length from organized religion.” Clark had little interest in the church throughout most of his early years of life and schooling, yet felt passionate about pursuing, in a variety of ways, a spiritual life.

During his 20’s, he went looking for something real. It took him to various countries overseas where he said he went looking to experience something first-hand, rather than continuing to read and study the spiritual teachings and writings of others. “I was looking for something real and authentic, for someone who lived from a deep place of connection,” he said.

He sought it in his travels, spending time in various places overseas, such as Japan, Thailand, India and in Sri Lanka, where he lived for a time immersed in the life and practice of a Buddhist monastery. Clark planned to go into teaching and spent five years studying eastern religious traditions and existential philosophy at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. “I started feeling lonely, however, for community,” he said. “After all those years of graduate studies, I wasn’t finding what I was looking for.”

At 27 years old, Clark realized a life of academia was not what was in store for him. He had a friend who was serving as a Lutheran pastor in Oakland and while on a visit there, “one night it hit me hard and unexpectedly,” said Clark. “All at once I felt profoundly and inescapably called to live in a community of faith serving as a priest in the Episcopal Church.”

It wasn’t long before Clark had completed the necessary requirements and was ordained in Portland, Maine in 1990. His years in ministry began as the curate of St. Alban’s Church in Cape Elizabeth, ME after which he lived and worked within Diocese of Vermont for 15 years before coming to Ipswich.

Clark was contacted by Ascension Church in March of 2006 and says his decision to come to Ipswich was an easy one. “It felt right,” he said, noting that although he loved his 12 years in Arlington, VT that the time had come to begin the next chapter.

“I always enjoy the challenge and opportunity to come at things a little differently,” says Clark, “and I have found kindred souls here at AMC seeking to deepen their connection to that which is real and enduring and full of grace.” Clark enjoys cultivating a diversity of friendships within the local community as a member of the Ipswich Rotary Club, The Dinner Bell, North Shore United Way – and by calling Zumi’s, the popular coffee shop of Ipswich, “The Rector’s Second Office.”

Frank Corbin was appointed Organist and Choirmaster of Ascension Memorial Church in March of 2011. Prior to coming to Ipswich, he was Director of Music Ministry at Assumption College for 21 years, where he taught piano, music theory, and organ, oversaw the college’s liturgical music program, and served as director of Humanarts, the college’s series of concerts, exhibitions, art history lectures, and literary readings.  

Frank Corbin completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and Performer’s Certificate at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He holds additional degrees from Oberlin College (B. Mus.), University of Cincinnati (M. Mus.), and Concordia University, Montréal (Diploma in Advanced Performance Studies). He has studied organ with Russell Saunders, William Porter, Roberta Gary, and Bernard Lagacé, piano with Sedmara Rutstein and Robert Shannon, and harpsichord with Arthur Haas. A native of Springfield, Tennessee, he attended the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University during high school, where he studied organ with Peter Fyfe and piano with Enid Katahn. He has been a top-prize winner in several national and international contests, and  his recording of works of César Franck, including The Three Chorals, appears on the Centaur label.

An accomplished pianist as well as organist, Dr. Corbin includes works for piano and other instruments in addition to traditional organ repertoire for the services at Ascension Memorial Church. As an educator conversant with numerous teaching methods, he is adept at working with students and singers of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of skill.

Chase Delano (& Ziggy)

Coordinator of Communications, Community Engagement, and Special Projects & Programming

Chase Delano joins AMC this Fall, 2023 as part-time coordinator of Community Engagement, Communications & Special Projects. In addition to her new role within the Church, Chase also serves as Executive Director of the Ipswich Partnership – a nonprofit focused on the economic development and downtown revitalization of Ipswich. She is passionate about connecting people and ideas, building community through creative collaborations and meaningful experiences, and promoting local businesses and organizations from Ipswich to the Greater North Shore.

Chase moved to Ipswich from NYC three years ago, and has happily transitioned into rural life. In her free time, she is a beekeeper, birdlover, golf/tennis/paddle player, and cold-water plunger. She attended Middlebury College, where she played field hockey and lacrosse. You can find her around the AMC office a couple days a week with her beloved new pup, Ziggy.