The Honorable Reverend Nicolas V. O'Rourke is Philadelphia City Council’s Minority Whip, Pastor (Covenant) of the Living Water United Church of Christ in Oxford Circle, and the second Working Families Party member elected in Philadelphia. While a resident of the mighty Third District, he serves all of Philadelphia as an At-Large member of City Council.
Working at the intersection of faith & justice, he was the Faith Leader's Caucus Co-Chair for POWER Interfaith. When organizing full-time, he focused on combating Mass Incarceration, Police Brutality, and religious and secular prejudice. In that season he fought for a strong public sector that keeps our kids safe and educated, our workers and residents protected, and actively supports the “beloved community” that Philadelphia can and must be.
O’Rourke studied Young Adult Education at Central State University, Ministry & Leadership at the former Center for Urban Theological Studies, and currently studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Through formal education and lessons learned as an ordained minister and organizer, O’Rourke works across wide ranging lines of thinking to highlight common ground for all people.
Councilmember O’Rourke and his office toils to support grassroots organizing that forwards the goals of social justice and spiritual awareness, with eyes towards nurturing Philadelphia’s extant culture of organizing. In a line, his office works to ensure Philadelphia is a city that loves you back by empowering your voice, meeting your needs, and resourcing your dreams.
He is married to Mrs. T. Leslie O'Rourke and is a proud Godfather, Uncle, Son, & Servant.