Our Staff
The Reverend David R. Chatel
Rev. David Chatel answered St. Paul’s call for a rector in April 2023. A native of Mobile, he attended Davidson High School. He is an alumnus of the University of Mobile and also did graduate work in theology at Spring Hill College. Fr. David is a graduate of the Diocesan School for Ministry of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, which is affiliated with the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin through the Iona Collaborative. Before coming here, he served as rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Brewton, Alabama.
The priesthood is somewhat of a second career for Fr. David, who spent the majority of his life before ordination as a professional musician in both sacred and secular environments. He and wife, Alice Grayson, "have been blessed to work together for many years as professional musicians.” Teenagers, Ethan and Natalie, complete the family.
The Rev. Susan McKee, Deacon
Susan was ordained with the first class of The School for Deacons of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
Susan is a member of The Episcopal Community and The Order of the Daughters of the King. She spends her days out in the community—especially by visiting the homes, hospitals, and nursing homes of those in our parish. Susan administers communion, offers emotional and spiritual support, and is a beloved friend. Her passion is in ministering to those who are incarcerated: she supports Cursillo outreach in southern Alabama’s correctional facilities and is active in the Kairos and Kairos Outside prison ministries.
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Susan lives in Foley, and is a loving mother and grandmother.
Vestry
​Lolly Holk, Senior Warden, Max Maxwell-Junior Warden, Martha Banks (also serves as Clerk), Frank Hennington, Lisa May, Jim Smith
Jan Pruitt, Parish Administrator
After retiring from a career in communications and arts management, Jan moved south to Magnolia Springs in 2012 to marry Ed Douglas—in our chapel! Jan has long been an active volunteer at St. Paul’s and in local civic organizations. She began work as St. Paul’s parish admin in 2017. If she doesn’t know the answers to questions you might have about St. Paul’s, she’ll do her best to find them.
Contact: admin@stpaulsms.org
Bishop Russell Kendrick,
The Episcopal Church of the Central Gulf Coast
Bishop Russell was elected to be the 4th Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast in February of 2015, and was ordained Bishop on July 25th, 2015.
A native of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Bishop Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts in architecture and marketing from Auburn University in 1984. Then in 1995, he received a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. At the time of his election, Bishop Russell was Rector of St. Stephen's in Birmingham, Alabama since 2007. Russell is married to Robin and they have two children, Aaron and Hannah.
