Sunday Mornings: St. James Downtown- 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.; More

  25 S. 3rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28401  ·   910.763.1628  ·       Give & Realm

St. James Parish
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Clergy and Staff

Meet the Clergy and Staff of St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Wilmington, NC.

The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.
Rector
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The Rev. Cheryl Brainard
Associate Rector
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The Rev. Joseph "Gray" Hodsdon
Associate Rector
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Erin Becker
Director of Communications
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Cookie Cantwell
Youth Ministries Coordinator
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Wes Clewis
Director of Facilities
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Maria Hollopeter
Financial Administrator
910-763-1628
Leah Magruder
Executive Assistant to the Clergy
Bill McKenzie
Parish Coordinator
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Norman Southerland
Sexton
John Sullivan
Director of Music
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Ansley Trask
Children's Ministries Coordinator & Day School Director

The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.

Rector
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The Rev. Cheryl Brainard

Associate Rector
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Cheryl Brainard came to St James to complete an internship for Holy Orders to the priesthood in 2018. After ordination to the priesthood, Cheryl remained on staff as an associate rector. She attended Furman University and worked as a flight attendant for 20 years prior to attending seminary at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. Since seminary, she has served as a hospital chaplain and continues to hold a part-time position at Novant Health Care where she works with our local community. Her areas of focus at St James are Congregational Care and Faith Formation. She loves music and enjoys playing the piano, sewing, and boating. Cheryl is married to Don and as a blended family, they have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

The Rev. Joseph "Gray" Hodsdon

Associate Rector

Prior to his call as Associate Rector at St. James, Gray served for two years as Curate at San Jose Church and Day School in Jacksonville, FL.

Gray graduated in 2020 from The School of Theology at Sewanee: The University of the South, where he served as Student Body President in 2019. Before seminary, Gray interned for a year with the Bishop’s Institute for Ministry and Leadership in the Diocese of Florida. Gray graduated from Florida State University in 2016, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sacred Music. While at FSU, he became actively involved at the Episcopal University Center (Ruge Hall) as well as St. John’s Church, Tallahassee. It was during these years that he discerned a call to ordained ministry.
Gray loves God and sharing the Good News of Christ. He met his wife, Catie, at Ruge Hall in 2012, and they married at St. John’s, Tallahassee in 2019. Catie is a Physician Assistant and has a passion for service. Together they live with their Australian cattle dog mix, Frannie.

Erin Becker

Director of Communications
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My background is a little unconventional but that has led me to be a more well-rounded marketer. I started out in undergrad as a Studio Art Major and a few years after graduation I decided to pursue my Masters in Business Administration. Once I had my MBA, I joined a regional commercial real estate firm as their Digital Marketing Associate then Marketing Director. Now, I’m excited to bring my experience to St. James Parish and start a new adventure with my husband here in Wilmington!

Cookie Cantwell

Youth Ministries Coordinator
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Cookie Cantwell first came to St. James as a Youth Ministries Consultant. This position morphed into a full-time Youth Ministries Coordinator staff position, where the focus continues to be on building authentic relationships with Jesus Christ among the young people within the Parish and throughout the world. Through fun, friendships, Bible studies, service projects, mission experiences, music, and worship, young people and the adults who accompany them on their journey of faith strive to provide meaningful opportunities to grow spiritually within a Christian community. In addition to enjoying her ministry among our youth, Cookie also enjoys her family, Happening, Province IV Youth Ministries, hiking, kayaking, needlepoint and reading.

Wes Clewis

Director of Facilities
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Wes is a man of God who is guided by Christ to serve his family and community. He is a Wilmington native who joined the St. James family in September 2016. Wes and his wife, Sara, have been happily married since 2014. He is also the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Bryanna and Destiny, and grandfather to his adorable grandson, Palmer. Wes loves bass fishing and the Washington Commanders. Before coming to St. James, he served the Cape Fear area as a master carpenter for over 20 years.

Maria Hollopeter

Financial Administrator
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Leah Magruder

Executive Assistant to the Clergy

Bill McKenzie

Parish Coordinator
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Bill McKenzie, a long-time member of the Parish, is now our Parish Coordinator and Liaison to Mt. Lebanon Chapel. Bill is a commercial property appraiser with a broad knowledge of building and property management. Bill has been actively involved in the life and ministries of the Parish having served on Vestry, worked as a team leader on the breakfast crew and continues Lead Verger duties this summer at Mt. Lebanon Chapel.

Norman Southerland

Sexton

John Sullivan

Director of Music
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John Sullivan first began working at St. James Parish in September of 2006, both as a music teacher in the St. James Day School and also as a tenor in the St. James Choir. In November of 2006, John joined the parish office staff, producing the Sunday bulletins and the weekly Grapevine newsletters, while also serving as the administrative assistant to the Rector. John began as organist and choirmaster at St. James in 2010, where he plays the organ for Sunday morning services, in addition to leading both the adult choir and the children’s choirs. Prior to assuming the position as music director at St. James, John was organist and choirmaster at Grace Episcopal and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Whiteville, NC. John came to Wilmington from San Francisco, CA, where he was a tenor in the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys and administrator of the cathedral music office at Grace Cathedral for 12 years. A cradle Episcopalian, John grew up in New Jersey where he sang as a boy chorister in the choir of men and boys at Christ Episcopal Church in New Brunswick. John has a Bachelor of Music in piano from Ithaca College, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Rutgers University, and a Master of Music in Kodaly Music Education for Children from Holy Names College in Oakland CA.

Ansley Trask

Children's Ministries Coordinator & Day School Director

Share this page: Clergy and Staff

St. James Parish
25 S. Third Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Phone: 910.763.1628

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday;
8:30 am to 1:30 pm on Friday.

Disclaimer


ST. JAMES PARISH

St. James Mission Statement: To welcome all to grow in love of God and neighbor.

St. James Vision Statement: To build community through ministries that strengthen our faith.

  • 8:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite I
  • 9:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II & Online Worship
  • 10:10 AM: Faith Formation & Sunday School Hour
  • 11:15 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II & Online Worship

Click here for service descriptions and more info

Click here to request room/space use at St. James


© 2023 St. James Episcopal Church. All Rights Reserved

Affiliates

St. James Day School

St. James Parish Foundation

The Help Hub


St. James Episcopal Church is a member parish in the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina. We welcome everyone who wishes to attend our services and events.


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Service Times


St. James Parish

Welcome Sunday

  • 8:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite I
  • 9:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II & Online Worship
  • 10:10 AM: Faith Formation & Sunday School Hour
  • 11:15 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II & Online Worship

Click here for service descriptions and more info

Location

St. James Parish
25 S. 3rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Contact Us
910.763.1628

Newsletter Signup

Welcome Children Service Times Location Membership

We extend a sincere welcome to you and we hope you will come and find your place at St. James. We have long been an active, working church with parishioners who play a vital role in parish ministries and community life. The range of St. James' ministries is as broad as the interests of its members.

Christian Formation for children endeavors to support and supplement the family's efforts to raise children as followers of Christ. Children's Formation includes Sunday classes as well as seasonal festivals and intergenerational events. Preschool ages 2 to 5 years, and grades 1 through 5 use a lectionary-based curriculum enhanced with art and music. Middle school classes include confirmation preparation and current event issues. Senior high classes engage in weekly Bible study from a young person's perspective.

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Sunday Services

On Sunday, we will be offering the following services:

  • 8:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite I
  • 9:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II
  • 10:10 AM: Faith Formation & Sunday School Hour
  • 11:15 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II

Wednesday Eucharist

Holy Eucharist Rite II - 12:10 p.m.

Click here for service descriptions and more info

St. James Parish occupies a full city block in downtown Wilmington, surrounded by Market St., 3rd Street, Dock Street, and 4th Street. Parking is available through the week and on Sundays on Market, 3rd, Dock and 4th Streets, adjacent to the church. Although the street parking is free, please note that on weekdays, parking on Market, 3rd and 4th Streets (other than the block of 4th Street behind the church property) is restricted to 2 hours, after which parking fines may be imposed by the City of Wilmington.

Maps & Directions

Membership at St. James, as with any other Episcopal parish, is governed by Canonical requirements of the Episcopal Church. It begins with the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, it continues with confirmation or reception by a bishop of the Episcopal Church, and it is maintained through a continuing commitment to the mission and ministries of the local parish.

Join St. James
Make a Donation Stewardship St. James Foundation Realm

Thank you for supporting the mission and ministry of St. James Parish! For more information see our give page. To give a gift now, click the button below. To pledge, please login to Realm and follow the instructions in this video. Let us move Forward Together with Joy, Gratitude, and Generosity!


Give Now
On behalf of the wardens and vestry of St. James Parish, we want to thank you for being a part of the Community of St. James. The contributions and the faithful ministries of all who served in various capacities across our parish have helped this parish to fulfill the mission and ministry to which we are called. Let us move Forward Together with Joy, Gratitude, and Generosity!
Make a Pledge

The St. James Parish Foundation was established in 2003 with the mission of supporting the needs of St. James Parish’s wonderful and historic church campus in perpetuity. The Foundation supports its mission by providing financial contributions to the Parish through targeted distributions for capital or specific campaign-related needs. Those contributions are through the assets that have been so generously donated to St. James Parish over the years by its’ congregation. You can easily donate online! Donate Online Here


Learn more about the St. James Foundation

Access your giving history and discover your St. James Parish community. Visit our Realm Help Page or contact our financial administrator, Maria Hollopeter, if you have any questions.

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