St. Catherine's New Rector Begins Oct. 17

is welcoming the Rev. Susan Latimer, who will begin as rector Oct. 17. Her first service will be Oct. 23.

Latimer comes to St. Catherine’s from St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, WV. She had her last Sunday service there Oct. 9, according to The Charleston Gazette.

Latimer graduated from Yale University with a major in music and earned a master’s degree in music from the University of Southern California. She has completed 19 years of ordained ministry with 10 years of experience as a rector.

St. Catherine’s began its search for a new rector about a year ago after Father Ed Rich announced his retirement. The church reviewed files from 43 candidates and conducted telephone and on-site interview with four of them, said Ham Evans, St. Catherine’s senior warden. The church narrowed its selection to three, and finally chose Latimer.

“Not only do we look forward to her liturgical leadership, but her music background will be a wonderful complement to the music program at St. Catherine’s,” Evans said. “We are the home of the Tampa Bay Children’s Chorus, the School of Fine Arts (offering a wide variety of musical instruction to the community), and we have a large, very competent choir accompanied by a remarkable pipe organ.”

St. Catherine’s has posted Latimer’s biography on its website.

“As a rector, my greatest joys are celebrating the liturgy and leading groups focused on spiritual growth and congregational development,” Latimer states in the bio. “I have been blessed with many wonderful lay leaders, particularly in Maine, and I look forward to working with all of you!”