Who's Who at St. John's
Rev'd Michael Mitchell, Rector
Father Michael Mitchell and his wife Holly arrived at St. John's on May 1, 2005 from the
Parish of Fall River, NS.
Michael was born and raised in Halifax, NS. His parents are of Newfoundland stock. Michael's mother was born in Lunenburg, where, in the mid-1920's, his grandfather fished on the original Bluenose with Capt. Angus Walters. Holly was born and raised in Saskatchewan and is of Ukrainian descent.
Ordained a deacon in 1979 and a priest in June of 1980, Michael has ministered in parishes in Nova Scotia, in Fall River and Western Shore. He has also served parishes in Fort Frances and Hamilton, Ontario. Michael has also been a retreat director and has ministered with Canada' First Nations peoples in Labrador and northern Ontario. He has been a researcher with the provincial government and has worked in the area of fund-raising in the not-for-profit sector. Michael holds university degrees in History, Public Relations and Sacred Theology and has been involved in continuing education in related fields. Michael has studied piano from childhood. He pursued voice lessons for several years in Hamilton with Catherine Hindson and Udo Kasimets, He has a great love for music and has a particular interest in liturgical music.
Michael has recently been the Co-chair of both the clergy division and the every
member division of the Diocese of NS & PEI 'Leap For Faith' $3.5M Capital Campaign and
serves on the Planned Giving Committee of the Diocese.
Michael and Holly have three adult children and enjoy 3 grandchildren.
Barbara Butler, Organist & Music Director
Our Music Director andOrganist, Barbara Butler is the Artistic and Managing Director of
both the St. Cecilia Concert Series based in Halifax and Musique Royale, a Festival of
Early Music in Nova Scotia. She is also past Director of the Lieutenant Governor's Concert
Series. A chamber musician, choral conductor, organist and music educator, she is a
well-known champion for the arts in Nova Scotia.
Born in Newfoundland, Barbara earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from Acadia University with majors in piano and organ. She is also a graduate of Banff School of Fine Arts, The Institute of Choral Arts (Nova Scotia Choral Federation), England's Royal School of Church Music and the International Organ Academy (Holland). In 1990 she was made a Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. In 2002, Barbara was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal by Lieutenant Governor Myra Freeman for her service to music and the arts in Nova Scotia.
Barbara Butler has strong affiliations with many arts organizations and currently sits on the Board of the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts and Opera Nova Scotia. She is a strong supporter of the Nova Scotia Talent Trust which provides scholarships to young, gifted musicians.
Mary Wagner, Parish Secretary
Jane Ritcey, Parish Warden
Jane grew up in Lunenburg attending the Lunenburg Academy. After graduation from Dalhousie University she
briefly taught in the public school system. Her teaching career took her to Bonny Lea Farm, Chester which is a
facility providing opportunities for individuals with special needs. During that time, Jane was actively involved
in coaching Special Olympic athletes both provincially and nationally.
Jane has been a member of St. John's all her life. She has been a member of Parish Council, and is presently completing her second term as Warden. She also serves on the church Music Committee, Finance Committee and the Congregational Development. In the past, she served on Parochial Committee. Besides her church responsibilities, she is an active volunteer in a variety of community endeavors. Jane's daily schedule is at her family's deep sea scallop business of Adams & Knickle Ltd. Located on Lunenburg's historic waterfront.
Peter Allen, Parish Warden
Peter was born and raised in Lunenburg, NS. He currently works full-time as a Cabinet
Maker at Nova Wood Products Ltd.
He has been involved chiming St. John's bells since 1982, when he learned to play from Edison Tanner, Chimer. Peter became the full-time Chimer in 1997. He was a founding member of the St. John's Anglican Church Handbell Choir and was a server from 1982 to 1988.
Peter has played in several brass quintets at the Church for special occasions. He was a member of Chester Brass Band from 1988 to 2004 and president of the Band for 2 terms.
A dedicated parishioner, Peter became a member of Parish Council in 2002 and a warden in 2003. He is a member of the Church Heritage, Music and Congregational Development Committees, and was a member of the 2005 Parochial Committee.
During the Restoration of the Church, Peter coordinated and supervised the restoration of the bells and personally reconstructed the Chime Stand.