Leadership
Clergy Staff
The Rev. Christopher R. Duncan
Rector
225-387-5141, ext. 1226
The Rev. Chris Duncan was called as the 24th rector of St. James Episcopal Church in 2018. Fr. Chris is a native Houstonian. Before coming to St. James, he served as rector of St. Paul’s in Katy, Texas.
Fr. Chris was ordained a deacon in June 2009 and a priest in January 2010. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Texas A&M University, graduating cum laude, and the Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2009.
He is married to Casey and they have two children, Carolena and Nils.
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Harmon
Senior Associate
225-387-5141, ext. 1225
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Harmon began his ministry as Senior Associate Rector at St. James on August 2, 2020. Prior to coming to St. James, Fr. Drew served as Assistant Rector of St. Francis in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Having grown up in Baton Rouge, Fr. Drew studied Classics at Millsaps College, obtained master’s degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary, and completed a Ph.D. in Historical Theology at Marquette University. In addition to parish ministry, Fr. Drew has worked in university ministries (Clemson University), retirement community chaplaincy, and as undergraduate theology instructor.
He and his wife, Anna, have three daughters: Frances, Bonnie, and Rose.
The Rev. Lynn Hooks
Associate Rector & Day School Chaplain
The Rev. Lynn Hooks begins ministry at St. James Episcopal Church as Associate Rector and Day School Chaplain in 2024. Before her ministry with St. James Church, she was the Priest-in-Charge at St. Mary’s in Morganza, St. Paul’s Holy Trinity in New Roads, and the Christian formation teacher at St. James Episcopal Day School. She previously taught religion in an Episcopal school for nearly 25 years before being ordained in The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana as a deacon in 2020 and a priest in 2021. She is a graduate of L.S.U. and A. C. Marble School for Theological Formation– Iona Collaborative at Seminary of The Southwest.
Lynn and her husband, Michael, have three children, along with their spouses – Ryan, Steph, Rachel, Luke, and Raphe.
The Rev. Dr. P. Donald White
Priest Associate
Fr. Don White assists on Sunday mornings here at St. James on a regular basis. You might recognize him from sitting the pews with his family while singing out with a booming voice. He has also filled in from time to time on Sundays as a supply priest. Although Fr. Don is retired, he will now be joining us two to three Sundays a month to assist within the services. Being retired, he will not have any official mid-week responsibilities, but he has been assisting lay ministry leaders with Adult Education opportunities.
Lay Staff
Cheryl Olinde
Director of Finance
225-387-5141, ext. 1220
Jacques Pourciau
Director of Operations
225-387-5141, ext. 1242
Shannon Gallier
Director of Music
225-387-5141, ext. 1224
Austin Clark
Associate Organist
225-387-5141, ext. 1222
Eydie Comeaux
Director of Family Ministries
225-387-5141, ext. 1202
Melissa Parmelee
Director of Communications
Laurie Gaston
Parish Life Coordinator
225-421-3549
Paul Allman
Facilities Manager
Darell Lee
Custodian
Dwight Nichols
Sexton
Samantha Chaney
Custodian
Jaslyn E. Schexnayder
Receptionist
Vestry
Within the Episcopal Church, the Vestry is an elected governing body considered an integral and legal representative of a parish, overseeing all matters of corporate property. At St. James Episcopal Church, the Vestry is composed of the Senior and Junior Wardens, the clerk, and — particular to St. James — 15 other elected positions (six elected each year for a three-year term). The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. They are confirmed communicants in good standing over the age of 18, who are entitled to vote at the Parish Meeting at which they are elected.
Overall, they support the workings of the church through the following:
- Discerning the vision toward which God is drawing St. James
- Articulating and communicating that vision;
- Holding the St. James community accountable for its realization of the vision;
- Keeping the mission of the church and that of the individual congregation clearly before the parish community.
- Individually, vestry members are expected to “… further his/her spiritual growth, be regular in attendance at meetings of the Vestry, serve on one or more committees or ministries of the church and/or Vestry, participate in the annual stewardship drive, abide by and support Vestry decisions in a positive way, and attend church-sponsored events and programs.”
Elected Vestry
Third Year
Chetwin Carter
Ben Dampf
Ann Holmes
Bunny Hines
Mary Pesses
Lazette Phillips
Second Year
Will Benton
Margaret Boudreaux
Randy East
Gary Field
Alison Rodrigue
Shirley Young
First Year
Steve Broyles
Pamela Gladney
Susie Heroman
Lindsay Turner
Jim Van Hook
Lauren Whatley
Associate Vestry
The Associate Vestry, which is also an elected governing body, is dedicated to the development of fellowship activities within the parish. Members of this group work hand-in-hand with St. James staff members to produce such events as the St. James Pancake Breakfast, the Summer Sounds Concert Series and more, in addition to special, one-time events such as the 175th Anniversary Dinner & Dance (2019).