Bishop Andrew St. John

Andrew St. John is a native of Melbourne, Australia, where he received his formative education. It was while attending Law School at the University of Melbourne that he experienced a strong sense of calling to the ordained ministry. He was accepted as a candidate for the Diocese of Melbourne but suspended his studies in order to practice law for several years. He undertook his theological training at Trinity College Theological School, Melbourne and was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and priested in 1972.

Following a first curacy in Melbourne he spent two and a half years at St.Mary's, Primrose Hill, in the Diocese of London, as Senior Curate. Those were enriching years in the English and wider ecumenical church. He returned to Australia in 1975 to take up a position at St. Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, as Precentor and Minor Canon and four years later became Vicar (Rector) of a suburban parish. During that time he also was appointed to the Board of a large Social Outreach organization and was appointed as Chaplain to the Sisters of the Church, an Anglican religious order for women founded in England and based in Australia since the 1890's.

In 1983 he took leave of absence from the diocese to complete an STM in ascetical and moral theology at the General Theological Seminary, New York. From that experience he developed a strong affection both for the city as well as for the Episcopal Church. An appointment to a large Melbourne parish in 1984 led to eleven good years in ministry there. During that time the Archbishop of Melbourne appointed him as an examining chaplain to assist with the ordination process. In 1995 the then Archbishop appointed him as an Assistant Bishop within the same diocese with particular oversight of the Western Region. Resigning from that position in 2001 Andrew took some much-needed leave and undertook a process of discernment regarding the future direction of his ministry.

An invitation from Bishop Sisk in 2002 led to an appointment as Interim Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in East 88th Street for 2 years commencing in late January 2003. Bishop Andrew spent two very happy and fulfilling years in this large and diverse parish with its broad program. Having decided to continue in ministry in New York he was delighted to be offered the position as Vicar for 3 years of the Church of the Transfiguration. He looks forward in particular to sharing in and building upon the rich history of the parish; its strong liturgical and musical tradition; its long connection with the theater world through the Episcopal Actors' Guild; and to helping the parish grow and strengthen its mission and ministry.

Andrew is single, the youngest of five children, with a host of nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces. He is delighted to have two of his nieces here in New York. Among his interests he lists opera, reading, swimming, cricket and gardening.

To contact Bishop St. John call the office at 212.684.6770, the Rectory at 212.684.3275 or click here to email.

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