Staff

The Rev. John Perris
Rector

“My principal ministries are those of a priest, preacher, pastor and teacher. My primary charge is to assist my fellow parishioners to strengthen – through our shared worship, study and service in the world - their identity and purpose as members of the Body of Christ, united in God’s love and service. My main prayer is that we grow in faithfulness and gratitude to God, care for and commitment to our fellow parishioners, and compassion and mercy for all God’s creatures.”

John has served as the Rector of St. James’ since August 2006.  He came to our Parish after first serving as Associate Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Virginia, and then as the Rector of Christ Church, Harwich Port, MA.

John earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Cornell University, a Doctor of Laws from Yale Law School and a Master of Divinity (cum laude) from The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church.  He has also received the certificate of successful completion of the Church Development Institute’s two-year program in Congregational Development..  John serves on the Board of the Upper Montclair Business Association, is a member of the Overseas Neighbors (which fosters Montclair’s sister-city relationships) and has long been an associate of the Order of the Holy Cross (a Benedictine order founded in the Episcopal Church in 1884).

John enjoys cycling, rowing and walking, foreign cultures and languages, movies, music, reading, singing and theater.  He has been married to Cat for 20 years. They have a daughter in college and two sons who attend Montclair High School.  John’s family owns a dog and two cats, all of whom get along with each other, almost all of the time.

The Rev. Audrey Hasselbrook
Assistant Rector

Audrey is a life-long member of the Episcopal Church. She began serving at St. James’ Church on the Feast of the Holy Name (January 1) 2007. The primary focus of her ministry is children and youth. Her prayer is for all people, and especially children, to make a deep connection with God that nourishes, strengthens, and challenges them to grow into the people God has called them to be.
Audrey also serves on the Diocesan Prison Ministry Committee (secretary), the Liturgy Committee, and as a member of the Board of the Diocese’s Nutley Senior Manor. She has served in urban and suburban parishes in the Diocese of Newark. Prior to entering the General Theological Seminary, she worked as an elementary school teacher. She loves to read, hike, garden, cook, and go to the ballet with friends.  Audrey and her husband, Jim, have three daughters.

The Rev. Dr. Walter E. Lewis
Assisting Priest

Walter was graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1964, and ordained to the Priesthood in 1965. Since ordination, he has served parishes in the dioceses of Washington and Newark, including St. James’ as Associate Rector (1972-77). He received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in 1983.
Following retirement in 2001, Walter "reconnected" with St. James’, donating his priestly services on a part-time basis.  As Assisting Priest, he shares worship duties; serves on the Pastoral Care Committee overseeing the Eucharistic Visitor and "Journey through Grief" ministries; and occasionally visits the sick and shut-in. When not involved at St. James’, he frequently does Sunday "supply" work for area churches.
Walter lives in Montclair with his wife, Barbara, who has a successful real estate sales career. Their three grown children and eight grandchildren also live in Montclair.
 

Richard Morgan
Director of Music Ministries and Organist

Rick joined the staff of St. James' in October 2007. In addition to serving as organist of our Parish, he conducts the 24-voice Adult Choir, the Treble Choir, and the Hand Bell Choir, and instructs the children of the Parish each Sunday before Church School.

Before coming to St. James', Rick served as Director of Music and Organist at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Morristown, NJ, for 25 years. During his tenure there, he oversaw the complete restoration of the historic 4 manual Ernest Skinner Organ. The Choir of Men and Boys, under his direction, toured England and Ireland on four separate occasions, and also sang at St. Thomas Church, New York City, and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Rick also conducted The Choir of Men and Women who, in addition to sharing service duties with The Parish Choir and The Girls' Choir, regularly performed oratorio works with orchestra during the Music at Saint Peter's Concert Series.

In addition to his early studies at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and Yale University in New Haven, CT, Rick studied in Paris with Andre Marchal (1975).  Later, during sabbatical leaves, he worked in England with Ralph Allwood and Malcolm Archer. The first was Director of Music at Eton College; the latter a composer, former Master of Choristers at Wells Cathedral, St. Paul's Cathedral and currently Director of Music at Winchester College.

At St. James’, Rick enjoys teaching private students and organ performance. At home in Hunterdon County, Rick values his hobbies of wood working, home restoration and gardening.

Sarah Eggleston
Director, St. James Preschool

Sarah graduated from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va., with a BA in Economics and worked in marketing and administration on Wall Street for eight years prior to starting her family.  She has been the Director of the St James Preschool since 1996.  Prior to that, she served on its board for many years as a parent representative when her two children attended the Preschool, then as a Church representative after they “graduated.”
During her time as Director of the Preschool, Sarah has expanded the program to include both half and full day Pre-Kindergarten classes.  In 1996, an enrichment Pre-K program was started for 12 children.

Subsequently, in response to parental requests and community demand, the afterschool enrichment program was expanded to include the three additional classes that are currently being offered to four-year olds.  St James’ Preschool now serves over 80 children from Montclair and surrounding communities.

Sarah lives in Cedar Grove with her husband, John.  Their children live and work in Manhattan.  Sarah’s other interests include golfing, gardening and volunteering at St James’ Church.

Hilary Thomas
Parish Administrator

Hilary joined St. James’ as Parish Administrator in July 2009.  Prior to that she was Parish Administrator at St. Bernard’s Episcopal Church, Bernardsville in the Diocese of New Jersey for three years. She is a member of The Episcopal Church of St. John on the Mountain, Bernardsville where she sings in the choir, is Chair of the Outreach Commission and has served on the Vestry.

Hilary’s family hails from Wales, where she lived as a small child and returned to attend the University of Wales.  She was graduated with a B.Sc. in Environmental Studies.  Although now a US Citizen, Hilary considers herself a ‘citizen of the world’ having lived in the UK and Canada, and spent extended periods of time in Latin America, Australia and Asia before coming to New Jersey in 1985.  She was employed for many years as a management consultant in telecommunications and the early development of the internet. 
 
She met her husband, Ward Dorer, singing in the choir at St. John on the Mountain. They have been married for 10 years. Singing is their shared joy. They sing together in the church choir and the North American Welsh Choir.  Ward has been a member of the University Glee Club for over 30 years and also sings in a male a cappella group, “The Ten.”   He is employed as Family Relations Director at Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.  They live on a lovely lake in Denville with Daisy, their Shetland sheepdog, and Amber, the cat.

Charlie Hoggard
Sexton

Charlie grew up in North Carolina’s Northampton County and came to this area in 1984.  Before joining our church staff in 2007, he worked for 23 years at Mountainside Hospital.  There, Charlie’s pride in his work earned him the description “best floor man” – and that same spirit of dedication carries over to his duties here at St. James’, where he enjoys what he does and the environment in which he works.

Charlie is a member of the New Hope Baptist Church.  He has three children and three grandchildren.  When not working, Charlie renews his energy by taking time out for peace and solitude.