Clergy & Staff

Until Mark arrived in La Jolla at the beginning of 2016, his 25 years of ministry had all been spent in the Diocese of London. He was a curate in Islington and Ealing, and was then Vicar of St Peter’s, Notting Hill, west London. Mark is a third generation priest. His father was the Vicar of Egham in Surrey, which is where he grew up and where the Magna Carta was signed. Mark was educated at Oriel College in Oxford where he took a First in Theology. After a time teaching in a large High School and working as a Youth Worker, he went up to Cambridge to study for ministry at Ridley Hall. During that time he also gained a PhD (on the Authority of the Bible) but, more importantly, met his wife Laura – who hails from Anaheim, California. They were married at Clare College, Cambridge, where Laura was studying. They have two children, Miriam who works as a social worker in London and Jacob, who is a student at Northeastern University in Boston. In recent years Mark returned to student life (part-time) and gained a Masters Degree in Christianity and the Arts from the National Gallery and Kings College. As well as an interest in the Visual Arts, Mark loves sports and collects old postcards. 

Abby serves at St. James by-the-sea as our Minister for Congregational Life. She graduated from  Hope College in 2011 with an undergraduate degree in International Relations. After years of wandering, she found a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church and fell in love with liturgy at her local Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, MI. Abby would love to tell you the story of first experiencing a call to ordained ministry during a hike in the Grand Canyon and her journey to seminary at Emory University. She was ordained in 2017 and soon after went to Christ Church Greenwich, CT to serve as the Associate Priest for Children and Family Ministry. She then went to be Chaplain and Chair of the Theology Department at The Holderness School in New Hampshire, where she blessed many skis and hockey sticks. Abby is married to Michael and they have three small children (Roz, Crosby, and Norah) and two grown step-children (Zoe and Pieter). In her free time, Abby likes to spend time outside, cook, and read. She would also love to get a cup coffee with you.

Alex Benestelli is organist/choirmaster and principal musician of the church, responsible for leading a diverse music program of volunteers and professionals as an effective part of St. James’ overall ministry. He also serves as Artistic Director of the St. James Music Series, which highlights the art of choral music in Southern California. Since coming to St. James in 2017, Alex established the Festival Choir and Choral Scholars programs, instituted new traditions such as Christmas Lessons and Carols and Compline-by-Candlelight, and he led the St. James Choir and Orchestra in an acclaimed performance accompanied by the award-winning composer, Morten Lauridsen. He holds degrees, with honors, from Westminster Choir College and the University of Southern California, and among his many experiences, Alex has performed choral works with the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and The Rolling Stones.

Jennifer  grew up in Whittier, CA, moved to Hawaii for a spell and has now returned to her California roots, landing in San Diego in 2010. A well-versed business background brought her to the Episcopal Church world in 2013, where she started serving St. Dunstan’s as their Business Administrator. An 18 year career in accounting and business management includes earning a Bachelor’s in Business Administration /Minor in Human Resources, Master’s in Business Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Accounting. A mother of three kids aged 18, 6 and 3, Jen enjoys being active in their recreational sports (soccer, golf and dance) and volunteering in their classes.

Originally having come to St. James in 1995 as a section leader in the choir, Walter DuMelle joined the staff full time in 2010 as the Assistant to the Rector, and in 2017 took on the role as Director of Administration.  He has a diverse background in the performing arts, arts management and office management, as well as the pleasure of having lived in Denmark for a year. In 2012 Walter and his wife Diana co-founded BODHI TREE CONCERTS, which has maintained a rich connection to the St. James community. He has a Bachelors degree in Music, and a Masters of Music from Eastman School of Music.

Leighton is a mom of two and a lifelong Episcopalian from the South. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelors in Nursing and later a Masters in Nursing Leadership. Leighton has spent over 10 years specializing in the field of oncology nursing and several years as a nurse manager. She comes to St. James after living abroad in Germany and exploring Europe with her husband and children. Leighton is passionate about Christian Education and has been teaching Sunday school and leading Bible studies from a young age. In her free time she enjoys traveling, baking, any type of arts & crafts, and picnicking.

Clay was born & raised in San Diego before spending six years in Los Angeles, where he studied music at California State University, Los Angeles. He is an avid musician and songwriter who enjoys playing the guitar, piano, bass, drums, and ukulele. After moving back to San Diego and joining the team on Christmas Eve ‘22, Clay now considers Saint James his home away from home.

Donna comes to us with a rich background in the performing arts, media production and business entrepreneurship. She is seasoned in communications on stage and screen as well as through social media for business development and promotions. We sub-contract Donna from the non-profit organization Horizon Gate Productions which she co-founded with her husband, Mark, in 1981. Her St. James tasks are producing the weekly e-mail, posting regularly on Facebook and proofreading.

Mark combined writing, visual arts and media for his BA from San Diego State University. This, mixed with his lifelong career in music and performance, has employed him in five major regions of the globe, both touring and producing. He has self-published 14 books including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, as well as many stage plays from one-acts to full length. He produces a new short art film of original visuals and soundtracks approximately once per year and posts monthly on his blog. Mark, with his wife, Donna, co-founded Horizon Gate Productions from which we sub-contract him. His St. James tasks include producing the monthly magazine The Chimes.