Who's Who at St. John's

Father Michael Mitchell,
Rector and Regional Dean of the South Shore

Michael and his wife, Holly, came to St. John's on May 1, 2005. In June of 2009, Michael was appointed Regional Dean of the South Shore Region of the Diocese.

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.

Michael was ordained a deacon Sept. 2 of 1979 and a priest on June 13 of 1980. On June 13th of this year, St. John's is marking Michael's 30th Anniversary of Ordination with a special celebration.

Within Nova Scotia, he has ministered in the parishes of St. Thomas, Fall River and St. Martin's Western Shore and in Ontario, in parishes in Fort Frances and Hamilton. Michael's experience includes ministry as a retreat director and 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 was the Co-chair of Leap For Faith Capital Campaign Task Force and served as 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. Michael is the Chair of 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

Mary started her administrative position with St. John's Anglican Church September 11, 2000 after a lengthy career in the banking industry. She grew up in Mahone Bay, moved to the Lunenburg area, worked and raised her family. Mary went through the transition period of rising from the ashes due to the fire that destroyed much of the church November 1, 2001. She witnessed the hard work of parishioners, members of the community and people from many parts of the world as they came together to do all they could to help with the restoration of the church. Mary sees the church as being vibrant with an active Sunday School, a phenomenal music program, committed and caring volunteers and parishioners, who love and are dedicated to their church. She receives great pleasure coming in contact with many of these folks during a normal day at the parish office.

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.

Louise Holdbrook, Parish Warden















 

 

Wayne Dodge, Parish Warden