By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

Father Chris Rogers, the pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish, said good bye to his congregation on Sunday, the last service at which he officiated in that church.

Rev. Rogers, 52, has served the Kennett Square Catholic church for 10 years. He announced has been transferred to St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown.

As he said farewell to his congregants after Sunday’s service, many of the members hugged him and said they will miss him.

He has been popular not only with those in his church, but also with the Kennett community in general. He is often called upon to offer the benediction to the opening of many events in the town.

Rogers said he will miss Kennett Square because of its small-town atmosphere, the residents’ faith and their charity to others.

Church member Kevan Clarke of Kennett Square said he has appreciated Rogers.

“He spearheaded building of the narthex and he brought the community together,” he said.

Rogers is also credited with making substantial updates to the appearance of the interior and exterior of the church, as well as conceiving of and overseeing the building of the new structure that connects the church and the former school.

Rogers will be replaced by Rev. Mark Tobin.

Tobin, 38, is a native of West Grove and a graduate of Avon Grove High School. He has been serving as a transitional deacon at St. Katherine of Siena in Northeast Philadelphia for the past year. Tobin served in the United States Navy, and he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Marketing from West Chester University in 2013. He earned his Master’s degree in Philosophical Studies in 2016, and his Master of Divinity in 2020 from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood.