Fr. Kevin Beesley, Rector
The Rev. Kevin Beesley, XV Rector
Father Kevin is overjoyed to have been called to serve St. John’s in July 2021, feeling the Holy Spirit move him to serve our parish’s rich tradition of liturgy, music, and community outreach. Before being called to St. John’s, Fr. Kevin served in the Diocese of Southern Ohio in the Columbus area. Fr. Kevin was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, and grew up in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Phew! Fr. Kevin is the fourth generation of his family to serve God’s Kingdom, feeling the call to serve ministry at a young age. Fr. Kevin lives on campus and with his wife, a registered nurse, has two adult sons, the younger of whom is attending university in Columbus. Fr. Kevin loves Jesus, cooking, cars, the Boston Bruins, electronics, and, as any true New Englander, Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee.
frkevin@saintjohns-newport.org
(401) 848-2561
The Rev. Leroy “Buck” Close, Deacon
The Rev. Leroy “Buck” Close, Deacon
Deacon Close comes to Saint John’s from Saint Stephen’s in Providence where he also serves the Diocese as a member of the Hispanic Ministry Committee. Deacon Close was born in South Carolina, and graduated from Tulane University with a BA in Economics and Latin American Studies. He and his wife, Lucy, served with the Church World Service in Nicaragua and have also started a not-for-profit job creation agency, 1000 Jobs/Haiti. The Closes live in Little Compton and have three grown children.
deacon@saintjohns-newport.org
(401) 848-2561
Peter Stoltzfus Berton,
Director of Music & Founding Executive Director of The Choir School of Newport County
Peter Stoltzfus Berton, Director of Music
Peter Stoltzfus Berton arrived in June 2014, having previously directed choir programs at St. John’s Church, West Hartford, CT; All Saints Church, Worcester, MA (where he expanded the program from two boys to 35 boys & girls in four years); and Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn Heights, NY. He grew up in Lancaster, PA, and attended the University of Michigan and Yale. Integral to his training was serving as Assistant Organist at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit, MI; Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven, CT; and Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, NY. Peter lives in Middletown with his wife, Dr. Jenn Berton, Director of Christian Education at St. John’s, and their two school-aged daughters.
music@saintjohns-newport.org
(401) 848-2562
Kelly Burns, Administrative Assistant
Kelly Burns, Administrative Assistant
Stay Tuned… Under Construction.
parishoffice@saintjohns-newport.org
(401) 848-2561
