Our People

Ordained in 1987, The Reverend Dr. Turner served two churches in Houston before moving to Dallas to serve as Associate Rector at St. Michael and Angels. She retired from full time ministery in 2002 and then assisted part time, first at Transfiguration in Dallas and then as a supply priest in the Dioceses of Dallas, Texas and West Texas.

She and her husband, Mike, moved to the La Grange area nearly twenty years ago and began attending St. James. Rev. Turner continued to work as a supply priest and she led St. John’s in Columbus until that church received Mission status. Considering herself once more retired, she returned full time to her first vocation as an artist.

Nine years later, she has now returned to her priestly vocation in order to assist St. James during this Interim between rectors. She loves the challenges and creative opportunities of parish ministry and is pleased to feel called to serve the people of St. James as their Priest in Residence.

As Interim Rector she has the same role and responsibilities as a Rector except that the process of searching for a rector continues with the length of service ending as soon as a new rector is called. She has oversight of pastoral care and worship and assists in other ways as needed. She is available in the church office for a full day on Thursdays and part time on two other days of the week. To make an appointment, contact Cathy at the church or email Reverend Turner at revturner.stjames@gmail.com.

Marilyn and I moved to Fayette County from Friendswood in 2008. Prior to that I served for 26 years as an Army helicopter pilot, and then as a safety manager for a NASA contractor on the Space Shuttle program. We transferred our church membership to St James in 2010. I have served on previous Vestry committees; and I presently serve as a LEM/Lector, Men’s Club officer, AMEN interviewer and as a volunteer at Second Chance.

My name is Cathy Sterman. I have been attending this church as long as I have been working here, since 2014.

I am a very proud mother and grandmother. I sing in the St. James choir and also sing with a couple of other ladies at nursing homes and coffee shops.

I love St. James because it is a place of worship and comfort. The building is just beautiful, but the people who worship inside make it what it is.

I am in the office during business hours, Monday through Friday. Come visit!

Director of St James Preschool: Laurie has been director of St. James Preschool since 2014 and a preschool administrator for over 10 years.

I have been officially serving churches in a musical capacity for 60 years. My musical career actually began several years earlier when I started playing piano for my mom’s Sunday School department. Singing in church choir and playing for Vacation Bible School soon elevated to playing for church services when I was in the ninth grade.
Bachelor’s degree in music education from Valdosta State College (now University).
Master of Music degree in conducting from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Ordination to the ministry of the Gospel, after careful examination by the ministers of our Indian River Baptist Association (think Diocese).
Music teacher, grades 5-9, and a part-time job as music and youth director for the First Baptist Church, Donalsonville, Georgia.

Mary and I met in Seminary and were married in Fort Worth, Texas. We have five grown children and two grandchildren.
We have served churches in Sterling, Illinois, Vero Beach, Florida, and Shalimar Baptist, Shalimar, Florida.

I began early “retirement” in 2010 and moved to Muldoon to provide care for Mary’s mom. I taught school at Sacred Heart, La Grange, playing piano on Sundays for Bible Baptist, La Grange, then for First Baptist, Schulenburg. We have served at St. James since March of 2014.

My journey with the Lord began nine months before I was born. Scarcely a Sunday has been missed – morning and evening services, Wednesday nights, and weeks of Revival, Vacation Bible School, Camps… until retirement.

However, it was not until Seminary that I began my walk with the Lord. Outwardly I looked like a fine Christian, but inward doubts about my relationship to Christ led to a crisis: How could I serve churches in Christ’s name filled with doubt? God moved in some remarkable ways demonstrating His personal love for me. Have I had doubts and worries since? Yes, but underneath there is a deep sense of a personal relationship. God is not a concept or imagination but a living reality in my life. It is Him I serve; in whichever situation He leads.

Mary Ann Hatfield began playing the piano at the age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since! She took many lessons through her school years from various teachers, and after graduating from La Grange High School in 1977, she attended Texas Lutheran University and the University of Houston, graduating Cum Laude in 1982 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.

She has taught music in private and public schools, as well as many individual piano and organ lessons. She has served as organist at various churches since she was 13 years old, and has provided music for countless weddings, funerals, and community events.

She was the pianist and vocalist in the Gus Lindemann Orchestra for many years and has served as accompanist
for the Fayette County Chorale and music director of several area musicals, such as the Fate of Fayette and the Heart of the Tin Trunk.

She currently teaches piano lessons at Encore Piano Studio in La Grange and is the organist/pianist at St. James Episcopal Church.

She is an active member of TMEA (Texas Music Educator’s Association), TMTA (Texas Music Teacher’s Association), MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), and the National Guild of Piano Teachers.

She is married to Dr. Larry Hatfield, and she enjoys traveling and spending time with their four children and six grandchildren!