Clergy & Staff
Priest-in-Charge
The Rev. Dr. Keila C. Thomas
After 28 years at Berea College as an endowed professor, Mother Keila came to the priesthood. Every term as she taught the course, The Understandings of Christianity, she was drawn closer to her calling of ordination. Before serving at Saint John’s, Mother Keila was priest as Saint Alban’s in Morehead and Saint Peter’s in Paris. She has also served as a hospice chaplain.
Organist/Choir Director
Brent Nicholas
Brent received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from West Virginia Institute of Technology where he studied piano with Olive Meyers and conducting and voice with Guy Owen Baker. He received his Masters in Music degree in Choral Conducting from West Virginia University studying with Dr. Kathleen Shannon. While at WVU, he also served as the Assistant Director of Choirs. Brent has taught choral music at the middle school, high school, and college levels. He has over 40+ years working in church music.
Bookkeeper & Office Staff
Jennifer Ballard
Jennifer is currently pursuing an accounting degree at University of Kentucky. She enjoys her life with her husband, Charlie, and their two wonderful sons, Evan and Noah. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, traveling to new places and watching her boys play baseball and basketball.
Come and Visit
All are welcome.
Address
210 N. Main Street
Versailles, Kentucky 40383
Our History
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Versailles, Kentucky, was officially established on June 29, 1847. The building housing the Nave was consecrated on May 28, 1885 with the parish house, now Hosea Hall, and St. Mary’s Chapel consecrated in 1930. A columbarium was built at the north side of the church in 1987. Later, the two pieces of property between the church and Green Street were purchased giving St. John’s a total of two acres and green space on which to enjoy God’s creation.
The church has had visits from two notable dignitaries. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, attended Morning Prayer on Trinity Sunday, May 25, 1986. Three years later, on May 14, 1989, the 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, worshipped unannounced at the 8 a.m. service in the Chapel. Plaques have been placed where the Queen and the President were seated to commemorate their visits.
St. John’s has been led through the years by a number of wonderful clergy, perhaps most notably by the Rt. Rev. Addison Hosea who served as Rector (1954 – 1970) and then Bishop of the Diocese of Lexington (1971 – 1985).
The Rev. Alan Sutherland served 2004-2009. The Rev. Dr. Philip Linder served September 2011-October 2015. The Rev. Phillip Haug served as Interim Rector November 2015-February 2017. The Rev. Dana Lockhart served as Priest-in-Charge from March 2017-December 31, 2022.
Rev. Dr. Keila C. Thomas is our current Priest-in-Charge.
Our Beliefs
God loves and accepts everyone.
God calls us to be that love in our church, our town and the world.
We seek to share God's love and make a difference.
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We believe that the church does not exist to tell people what to believe, but to make evident in whom to believe
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We are clear about the Christian faith.
We are not preoccupied with secondary issues.
We stand in the rich tradition of Christian worship.
We encourage people to grow in the faith that they profess.
We believe we ought to live so as to make a difference in the world.
If you are looking for such a church, then the Episcopal Church is for you.
We welcome and invite you into this faith and fellowship of Jesus Christ.
Bishop's Committee
Georgia Lockridge
Senior Warden
Sharon Ohler
Junior Warden
Jennifer Canary
Treasurer
Gayle Yocum
Clerk of the Vestry
Alex Kain
Vestry
Vickie Duff
Vestry
Walter Koontz
Vestry