Clergy and Staff

Born in Kenya, Rev. Mary grew up on her parents’ farm and attended the local Anglican Church with her parents and siblings. She received her Bachelor of Divinity degree from St Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya in 2002 and was made a transitional deacon the same year. She was ordained priest in 2003.

Mary served in the diocese of Eldoret, Kenya as a chaplain at an Anglican girls’ high school and Rector of St. Paul’s Parish, Eldoret, from 2003-2007. Upon returning to Kenya from Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA, where she received her Master in Theological Studies (MTS) degree, Mary was appointed Canon to the Ordinary in Eldoret diocese.

Mary received her Master of Theology (ThM) degree in 2012 and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Old Testament from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 2015. It was while studying in Chicago that Mary served as part-time parish priest at Messiah-St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church in Southside Chicago.

Before coming to St Mary’s in December 2024, Mary was the Vicar of St Paul’s Episcopal and Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran churches (combined congregations) in Barstow, CA for five years.

Mary has a passion for teaching and strongly believes that a vital and thriving congregation is the one that is grounded in the word of God. Her hobbies include gardening, soccer, nature walks, and music. She loves spending time with her three cats—Villanelle, Eve, and Konstantin.

Paul is a cradle Episcopalian who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He left the church prior to joining the military, but his journey brought him back many years later. His rector saw unrealized potential in him and convinced him to pursue this calling, leading him to attend the School for Deacons in Berkeley. 

Following three years of study, he acquired a Bachelor in Theology and was ordained a Deacon in June of 2005. He found fulfillment in that time by volunteering as a hospice chaplain at the VA in Palo Alto for six years. 

His job brought him to us in September of 2010, and he has served here faithfully ever since. He enjoys eucharistic visits, jazz, folk, and bluegrass music, and reading when he has the time. He also has two very energetic puppies that he cherishes.

She is a lifelong resident of Lompoc, having arrived here as a toddler when her parents were transferred to Vandenberg AFB. Her family became members of Saint Mary’s Parish in the mid-1970s.

Fr. Stu Fitch officiated Mary’s and Buck’s wedding in the Church in the Walnut Grove, and her children were both baptized here. Mary is an avid baseball fan and spends her weekends with her husband Buck, traveling across California and supporting her grand-girls and their softball teams.

Dina has over 20 years of experience as a local high school bookkeeper and registrar and has worked in banking for 12 years. She had her Confirmation at St. Mary’s under Fr. Stuart Fitch 47 years ago and has enjoyed the past two 1/2 years as St. Mary’s Bookkeeper. 

She is married with two sons and a stepson, two wonderful daughters–in–law, and four beautiful grandchildren.

Heidi has lived in Lompoc since 1980, when she was stationed at Vandenberg AFB. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in physical therapy in 1977 and received her Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from Chapman University in 1989.

She spent 21 years as a Physical Therapist in the Air Force and retired in 2001 as a Lt. Col. She continued to work as a physical therapist for her good friend at Carnahan Physical Therapy until age 60. She has been married to Rob for 35 years and has three daughters, Kirsten, Kassandra, and Amanda, and six grandchildren who keep her busy. 

Heidi is a cradle Episcopalian whose children grew up at St Mary’s and has worked here with many amazing volunteers for years. She took several years off to concentrate on family but has returned to Sunday School with love in her heart and an eagerness to share God’s Love with the children

Miss Gloria (as the children call her) has been developing connections with and caring for the children of St Mary’s for the last 23 years, in some cases lasting through multiple generations. She is working right beside us as we restore our Sunday School program, providing loving care for the littlest of our parish.

Gloria came to Lompoc from Chicago. She has been married for 47 years and has six children. She taught at USCB in the Infant/Toddler Preschool program and has volunteered for a long list of family, health, and arts organizations since coming to Lompoc. She was nominated for the Lompoc Peace Prize and the Vision Award (including a Congressional recommendation letter). 

She is active in Club Arcturus, a social–civic club for African Americans, where she has served as President several times over the last 20 years. She also serves on the Dr. Martin Luther King Committee.