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Welcome to
Saint Gabriel's ~ San Gabriel

At Saint Gabriel's ~ San Gabriel in Leesburg, VA, you’ll find a welcoming and inclusive Christian community where you belong. Whether you’re exploring faith, looking for a spiritual home, or seeking a place to grow in worship and service, you are invited to join us.

Priest blessing communion outdoor worship standing in front of cross

About Us

Founded in 2002 as a mission of St. James' Episcopal Church, St. Gabriel's was created to serve a growing and diverse community in Northern Virginia.

 

Since its founding, St. Gabriel’s has been committed to welcoming all people, offering bilingual worship, and making a meaningful impact through outreach and service. Today, this faith community continues to honor God’s presence with love, prayer, hospitality, faith formation, and service to the wider community. We invite you to join us on our journey — we will gladly walk alongside you on yours. 

Meet our Clergy & Staff

Our dedicated leadership team is here to support your spiritual growth and help you connect:

The Very Rev. Daniel Vélez Rivera giving speech at convention

The Very Rev. Daniel Vélez Rivera

Vicar of Saint Gabriel's ~ San Gabriel

 

Dean of the Northern Piedmont Region of the Diocese of Virginia​

Fr. Daniel is passionate about making the Episcopal Church relevant and accessible to people at every stage of their spiritual and life journeys. He is dedicated to building strong, diverse communities by empowering multigenerational and multiethnic leaders to serve as Christ’s ambassadors—both within and beyond the church. His ministry began as a church planter, first establishing a Hispanic ministry at Grace Church and later founding St. Peter’s ~ San Pedro, a bilingual Episcopal congregation in Salem, MA. He has served as Interim Rector at St. Michael and All Angels in Baltimore, MD, and worked as a consultant for the Office of Hispanic/Latino Ministries at The Episcopal Church Center. In 2021, Fr. Daniel was appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies to serve on the Committee for Truth-Telling, Reckoning, and Healing, a working group focused on guiding the Episcopal Church toward healing from the injustices of racism and prejudice. Fr. Daniel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a dual master’s degree in Divinity and Social Work from Boston University. One of his most meaningful achievements was co-founding Esperanza Academy, a tuition-free Episcopal middle school for girls in Lawrence, MA. In his free time, Fr. Daniel enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, practicing Bikram yoga, listening to music, and learning new things. He also loves golf—though he admits he’s still trying to master the game!

Deacon Holly standing in front of altar at Belmont Ridge Middle school

The Ven. Holly Hanback

Deacon of Saint Gabriel's ~ San Gabriel

Archdeacon of the Diocese

of Virginia​

Deacon Holly Hanback was appointed to St. Gabriel’s – San Gabriel by the Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston, Bishop of Virginia, in Advent 2016. In December 2019, the Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff appointed her Archdeacon of the Diocese of Virginia, where she provides guidance and pastoral care for those discerning and preparing for the diaconate while also serving as a pastoral presence for deacons across the diocese. At St. Gabriel’s, Deacon Holly serves both the bilingual congregation and the greater Leesburg and Loudoun communities. Her secular vocation is just as pastoral as her clerical role—she works for Loudoun County Public Schools as a Parent Liaison, helping families navigate educational challenges. She also serves on the board of Mobile Hope, a nonprofit supporting precariously housed teens, and is actively involved in Grace to Go, a ministry providing meals to those experiencing food insecurity in Leesburg. The word "deacon" comes from the Greek word diakonos, meaning "servant" or "minister." Deacons are called to represent Christ and His Church, especially by serving the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. They also assist in proclaiming the Gospel and administering the sacraments. At St. Gabriel’s, Deacon Holly joyfully shares the love and Spirit of Jesus in both English and Spanish. In the Episcopal Church, deacons are one of four orders of ministry: laypersons, bishops, priests, and deacons. There are two types of deacons: transitional deacons, who go on to become priests, and vocational deacons, who are called to a lifelong ministry of service—a calling Deacon Holly wholeheartedly embraces. Holly and her husband, Clint, are the proud parents of four beloved children. When you meet Deacon Holly, you will know you are in the presence of a spirit-filled, compassionate, and devoted servant of God.

Abi Hernandez Cruz sitting at folding table

Abi Hernández Cruz

Children & Youth Minister

Abi Hernández Cruz is passionate about children and youth formation, a calling rooted in her deep love for Jesus Christ and the church. She and her family were among the first to join St. Gabriel’s~San Gabriel’s Latino Ministry, where she and her sister proudly served as the first acolytes. Abi's dedication to ministry was nurtured during her five summers as a Shrine Mont camper, shaping the skills and care she now brings to working with children and youth. Abi is currently studying Criminology and Criminal Justice at NOVA Community College – Loudoun Campus and plans to transfer to George Mason University to complete her bachelor’s degree. She aspires to attend law school and become a family and immigration attorney, advocating for those in need.

Eva María Torres Herrera Director Educando con Amor

Eva María Torres Herrera

Director - Educando con Amor

Eva María Torres Herrera, originally from Mexico, began attending San Gabriel in 2013. In 2016, she launched the ministry of social justice and community education, 'Educando con Amor ~ Educating with Love.' It was there that her vocation as an educator, her faith, and her community leadership came together to share the gifts and talents that God has given her.

Pamela Butler sitting in front of piano holding a guitar

Pamela Butler

Director of Music & Choir​​​​

(10 AM Service - English)

Pamela is one of the founding members of Saint Gabriel's music ministry in 2002 and found her way back to us! She brings her faith and a deep commitment to God through her music ministry. Pam was the founder of Loudoun Lyric Opera, past member of the Loudoun Arts Council, the Virginia Commission on Public Art and so much more. She also has extensive choral conducting and church liturgical experience.

Carmelo Saavedra Hernández holding guitar singing

Carmelo Saavedra Hernández

Director of Music and Choir

(3 PM Service - Spanish)

Carmelo joined Saint Gabriel's ~ San Gabriel in 2019 to lead the Spanish language music ministry. He is a gifted musician and guitarist, with over 30 years experience as a church musician and choral director.

David (D.j.) Cortés-Gunning wearing blue shirt talking

David (D.j.) Cortés-Gunning

Parish Administrator

David "Dj" Cortés-Gunning is a Baltimore native who still eats at least one crab a year to maintain his "Bawlmer" credibility.​ Dj manages the day-to-day operations of St. Gabriel's~San Gabriel and serves as assistant to the Clergy and Staff, and Clerk of the Vestry. Dj has a heart for bringing people together in unity, equality, and service, and making the church a more welcoming place for all in today's world. Dj is also a church musician, having served most recently as the Interim Minister of Music at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Burke. In 2016, Dj transitioned from a 15-year career in Broadcasting and Journalism, and you may have heard him on a nearby radio station in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and locally at the former 92.5 WINC FM. ​ Dj is a lover of music of all types, a foodie, and an avid connoisseur of locally produced wine, microbrews, and spirits. He also enjoys taking his 17-year-old chihuahua Chloe and 2-year-old Jack Russell Terrier niece Candy on adventures to local state parks and beaches, and spending time with friends, family, and his husband Adán.

Saint Gabriel's ~ San Gabriel Vestry

​Meet our passionate and committed team of volunteers who work together on impactful initiatives to strengthen the spiritual life of Saint Gabriel’s ~ San Gabriel and guide us forward.

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Vestry Officers &

Ex-officio Members*

Senior Warden

Eileen Shaffer, 2026

Junior Warden

Juan Miranda, 2027

Treasurer

Vestry Members

Olivia Isamar Ortega, 2026
Rebecca Upchurch, 2026
Vegaín (Abi) Hernández Cruz, 2027

Octavio Somuano, 2028

Steve Rice, 2026

Ex-officio Officers

The Very Rev. Daniel Vélez Rivera
David Cortés-Gunning, Secretary

*Commissions expire at Annual Meeting of the indicated year with option to extend an additional year

What is the Vestry?

The Vestry is the legal representation of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property.

 

The number of members and the terms of office varies from parish to parish with a maximum of four years as stipulated in diocesan canons and parish bylaws.

 

St. Gabriel's Vestry members hold four-year terms, the Vicar and Parish Administrator hold ex officio positions and do not have voting rights.  

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Parish Office

8 Cornwall Street NW

Leesburg, VA 20176

Contact

(703) 779 - 3616

Services

Sunday

10 AM - Belmont Ridge Middle School (English)

Sunday

3 PM - St. James, Leesburg (Spanish)

3rd Tues.

10 AM - Ashby Ponds (English)

Office Hours

Monday- Friday

12 PM - 5 PM

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