About Us | History of St Paul's | Photo Gallery | Staff Bios | Vestry | FAQ's| E-Giving Program

St. Paul's Staff

The Reverend William H "Chip" Stokes

The Reverend William H Stokes is the Rector of St Paul's Episcopal Church in Delray Beach, Florida, a position he has held since January of 1999. From 1995 to 1998, he was the Associate for Christian Education at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to this, he served as the School Chaplain and Curate to Grace Episcopal Church and Day School in Massapequa, Long Island, serving there from 1990 to 1994. 

Fr Stokes is active in the area of Anti-Racism and is a member of the National Church Executive Council's Anti-Racism Committee, having also served on the Anti-Racism Committee of the Diocese of Southeast Florida. In addition, Fr Stokes has served on the following committees and commissions in Southeast Florida: Christian Education; Board of the Diocesan School; Board of the Duncan Center; Bishop's Committee on Sex and Sexuality; and the Clergy Continuing Education Committee. Fr Stokes graduated from the General Theological Seminary in 1990. He is recognized as a dynamic preacher and teacher and received both the Seymour Prize for Best Extemporaneous Preaching and the Bishop of Newark Preaching Prize. He was among a select group of seminarians chosen from around the nation to attend the Preaching Excellence Conference in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1989.

An active leader in his community, Fr Stokes serves on: the Community Food Pantry Advisory Board; the New York-based philanthropic organization, The Anglican Foundation and he is the immediate past President of the Delray Beach Clergy Association and continues to serve on its executive committee.

He is married to Susan and they have four children, and two grandchildren.

The Reverend Kathleen P. Gannon

The Reverend Kathleen P Gannon joined St Paul's Episcopal Church on June 1, 2005. Rev Gannon is a graduate of the Episcopal Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) in Alexandria, Virginia. Ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on April 17, 2005, she was Ordained to the Priesthood on November 6, 2005 at St Paul's.

In her work at St Paul's, Rev Gannon focuses on Small Group Ministry, New Member Ministry and Mission trips. She led St Paul's second mission trip to Honduras in March of 2006. Her mission experience prior to St Paul's includes: Madagascar for two weeks in Summer 2001, Africa: Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi for eight weeks in Summer 2003 and Our Little Roses in Honduras during Spring Break, Easter Week of 2005.

Rev Gannon enjoyed a career in banking for 17 years, specializing first in mortgage banking administration and later in real estate construction lending. In the early 1990's she changed careers and began to work for the Chapel of Saint Andrew Episcopal Church in Boca Raton as a lay ministry coordinator until she left for seminary in August of 2002.

A native of New York, she has been a Florida resident since 1985 and has siblings and family in both states.

Dr Keith Paulson-Thorp, Choir Director and Organist

Dr Keith Paulson-Thorp joined the St Paul's staff on January 1, 2007.  He has served as Director of Music for St Cecilia Catholic Church in Houston, Texas, and Organist & Music Director for the Cathedral of St Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He served as Director of Music at The Old Mission in Santa Barbara and most recently as Organist at All Saints by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito, California. He has performed as organist and/or conductor in cathedrals and basilicas throughout Europe and the United States, as well as Israel.

Dr Paulson-Thorp has served as Assistant Professor of Music at Valparaiso University, (Indiana) and as head of the Theory Department and Coordinator for Graduate Studies in Music at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette and has received prizes and honors in composition from B.M.I., the Percussive Arts Society, the Bates Foundation, the Green Bay Symphony Society, the Themes Foundation and the Charles Ives Center for American Music.

Patti Daniell, Day School Director

Patti, her husband George and their 2 sons, Mark and Peter, have been members of St Paul's since 1990. "Mark led us to the Day School when he started as a 4 year old in Rolene Gents' class." "And a little child shall lead them." We started attending church, and became involved in many of the ministries. I was serving as Chairman of the Day School board in 1992, when a teaching position became available. I jumped right in as a teacher which led to director! I am so very thankful for the privilege to serve the children and families of St Paul's Day School!
 

Bill Hurd, Parish Administrator

Bill Hurd is parish administrator of St Paul's Episcopal Church, a position he has held since November of 1999. Prior to joining St Paul's staff, he was parish administrator at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Pompano Beach. Bill and his wife Nancy have been communicants of St Paul's since 1980. He has served several terms on the vestry and has been senior warden for both our current and previous rectors.

Bill is a native of Michigan and a resident of Delray Beach since 1962. He graduated from Seacrest High School (now Atlantic High School) in 1965 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University in 1969.

Bill has been active in Delray Beach having served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Delray Beach and vice president of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.