A BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR RECTORS

1951-1970 Rev. George Argyle

The Rev. Argyle was the first rector of St. Andrew's Church, as described above. The Rev. Argyle, who retired in 1970, served as rector emeritus of the parish until his death in 1988. He was the only rector emeritus to actively watch the parish continue to grow.

1971 - 1976 Rev. Fred Cunningham

The Rev. Cunningham was well liked, especially by the young people. He was very talented musically; and he often played the organ well and with great passion.

1977 - 1989 Rev. John Phelps

Under the spiritual guidance of the Rev. Phelps, St. Andrew's continued steady growth to 570 baptized members. Weekly attendance improved, along with involvement by the laity in parish life. Memorial carillons were dedicated in November 1982 by the Right Reverend Morgan Porteus, Bishop of Connecticut, to enhance worship and announce the presence of St. Andrew's in the community. The parish has come to realize the rich heritage it has in this church's history and architecture. The year 1983 marked the beginning of the preservation and restoration of the entire structure, when parishioners voted to raise $150,000 for a restoration fund. During the next five years, our efforts turned to the preservation of St. Andrew's Church building on the spirit of the present for future generations. The Rev. Phelps was to be the last full-time rector of St. Andrew's.

1989 - 1992 Interim Rectors

As the parish worked through six interim rectors during a 3 year period, the congregation saw a steady decline in membership, and realized it would need to seek a part-time rector.

1992 - 1997 Rev. Paul B. Bresnahan

The Rev. Bresnahan was the first the first part-time rector of St. Andrews, working half-time. With a wife and three young sons, he followed a call to a parish in West Virginia.

1997 - 1999 Interim Rectors

The church had two interim rectors, the Rev. Thomas M. Kershaw and the Rev. David K. Johnston.

1999 - 2001 Rev. Caroline Diamond-Redmon

A Search Committee called the Rev. Diamond-Redmon from California. She was recalled to California in 2001.

2001 - 2007 Interim Rectors

The parish decided it was time for a period of self-discovery and renewed mission. Although the Rev. John Bonell was appointed as Interim Priest from May 2002 to September 2003 to work with the parish as it prepared itself to enter the search process, membership had further eroded, and it was nearly impossible for the congregation to find a rector willing and able to work for quarter time. But over time, the congregation became quite self-sufficient and no longer under the illusion of a return to days gone by. Realizing that churches throughout the country were suffering the same situation, the congregation became more involved in the community and developed a variety of ministries to meet the needs and interests of its members.

2007 - 2020 Rev. Dr. Joseph Wilkes

The Rev. Wilkes, known affectionately as "Father Joe," was an oral surgeon called to ordination later in life. He joined St. Andrew's as a transitional deacon in November 2006, and many members of the congregation attended his ordination to the priesthood by the Bishop Tom Shaw at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Boston in January of 2007. Father Joe recognized the existing organization and capacity of the congregation, and was happily a pastor to all. During his tenure, he led the small congregation through a successful Capital Campaign to restore the Organ and completely renovate the Parish Hall. He also helped the congregation to develop a Global Mission relationship with St. John's Anglican Church in Nghumbi, Tanzania. A Water Project was started together in 2016. In 2017, he supported and blessed the construction of the St. Andrew's Community Garden for the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood. And when public gatherings were prohibited during the COVID-19 pandemic that started in March 2020, Fr. Joe worked to ensure the continuation of worship and prayer with a live stream broadcast from St. Andrew's Church at the traditional 9:30am gathering time every week. He retired in June 2020.

2020 - 2022 Rev. Willam Bradbury, Bridge Priest

In March of 2020, just as the parish was adjusting to the news of Rev. Wilkes’ planned June retirement, the Covid-19 global pandemic hit, closing down church services and activities for over a year. St. Andrew’s, like most churches, took to the internet to continue providing worship opportunities for parishioners on Facebook and ZOOM. In June 2020, Rev. William Bradbury, recently retired from his position as Rector of All Saint’s Church in Chelmsford, MA, was named Bridge Priest for St. Andrew’s. Rev. Bradbury brought his experience and knowledge to St. Andrew’s throughout the difficult time of the Pandemic. Due to the Pandemic and the pursuant delays in the search for a new Priest, Rev. Bradbury’s service as Bridge Priest was prolonged beyond the normal term.

July 2022 - Present Rev. Eleanor Prior, Priest-in-Charge

In June 2022, after a search, and in conjunction with the Diocese and our Regional Canon, St. Andrew’s called The Reverend Eleanor Prior to be Priest-in-Charge. Rev. Prior has served previously at St. Luke’s in Portland, Maine (The Diocese of Maine.) She serves half-time at St. Andrew’s and half-time as the Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul’s in North Andover, MA.