Who We Are

The Rector

Rt. Rev. Andrew R. St. John, D.D.

Andrew St. John is a native of Melbourne, Australia, where he received his formative education. After attending Law School he experienced a strong vocational call to the ordained ministry but delayed commencing theological studies to practice law for several years. He attended seminary at Trinity College, Melbourne, and was ordained deacon in 1971 and priest in 1972. He served two curacies one in an industrial suburb of Melbourne and one in the Diocese of London at St Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill. In 1975 he returned to Melbourne to join the Cathedral staff as Precentor and Minor Canon and four years later was appointed to a suburban parish as Vicar (Rector). In 1983 he took leave from the diocese to pursue post graduate studies at the General Theological Seminary, New York, in ascetical and moral theology, completing an STM.

Returning to Melbourne he was appointed to a large historic church where he spent 11 happy years. In that time he was also appointed as an Examining Chaplain to the Archbishop of Melbourne, served as Chaplain to the Sisters of the Church (an Anglican women’s community) and chaired the Board of large social welfare organization. In 1995 the Archbishop appointed him as an assistant bishop of the diocese designated Bishop of the Western Region. In that role he looked after some 50 parishes and 75 clergy as well as chaplaincies to prisons, hospitals and schools and served on a number of diocesan committees, boards and councils Resigning from this position in 2001 Andrew took some much needed leave before responding to an invitation from Bishop Sisk of New York to take up an appointment as Interim Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, East 88th Street, in New York City. After 2 happy years there Bishop Sisk appointed him as Vicar of the Church of the Transfiguration commencing in March 2005.

In 2007, after a shortened process, the parish called Bishop St John as the Seventh Rector of the parish. In his time at Transfiguration Andrew has continued to build on the strong liturgical and musical tradition of the parish; led the parish through a major redevelopment project as well as several restoration projects of the historic fabric and garden; strengthened ties with the Episcopal Actors’ Guild; and encouraged the parish in reaching out to the local community.

Andrew is not married, is the youngest of five children, and has a host of nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces. He is delighted to have two of his nieces living here in New York. Among his interests he lists opera, music, art, theater, reading and gardens.