Dan joined St Mary’s in 2023 after pastoring Greenleaf Road Baptist Church in Walthamstow. An ordained Baptist minister who is now a PhD candidate in biblical studies at the University of Edinburgh, Dan is not just a pastor and theologian but also someone with extensive experience in venue management, having overseen a renovation of Greenleaf Road Baptist Church. At Greenleaf, Dan also increased the number of opportunities for the church’s building to generate revenue alongside forming new partnerships with the wider community. Originally from Bedfordshire, Dan is married to Jen, a primary school teacher, and they have a son, Noah.

Originally from West London, Josie moved to Walthamstow in 2017 and became our Parish Administrator in the summer of 2022. She studied psychology at University of Sussex, earned a PGCE from the University of Brighton and was a primary school teacher for 16 years. Josie is married to Peter and has two children, Kit and Sadie. Josie says that, for her, St Mary’s has always been a place of peace and joy. Josie says, ‘The whole team were always very warm and welcoming, so I feel very privileged to now be a part of it. I enjoy doing something that helps the local community, and helps me get to know my local community better too. Family life and working life keep me pretty busy, but I also enjoy going out with friends as much as possible and music has always been a big part of my life! Country music and rock and roll are my absolute faves!’

Cameron joined St Mary’s in 2023 as our Marketing and Communications Officer and has a background in publishing, journalism and communications. As part of his role at St Mary’s, Cameron manages our social media channels, website and other promotions. He is also a member of the Creative Church Project Board and was part of the team that secured funding from the National Lottery for the regeneration of our ancient church building. Originally from Michigan, Cameron holds a postgraduate degree in Creative Writing from Edinburgh University and is also an environmental campaigner and trustee for Operation Noah, a Christian climate charity.

Louise has been a member of St Mary’s congregation since 2007 and in late 2023 took on the role of Events Administrator. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature, and a Masters in TESOL and Intercultural Studies. Louise has been a teacher and teacher trainer for many years, specialising in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She spent 12 years in Cambodia serving as St Mary’s Mission Partner for Interserve, where she founded a language school for foreigners to learn Khmer. She is pleased to be back living and working in Walthamstow and is excited to see more events taking place in St Mary’s. Louise’s hope is for people to experience a warm and loving welcome when they enter the church building.

Tim Hewitt has been St Mary’s Head Gardener since 2017; in that time, St Mary’s Churchyard has received national recognition, and in 2023, won ‘Churchyard of the Year’ in the London in Bloom competition. As part of Tim’s ‘Burials in Bloom’ project, dozens of local residents regularly volunteer to care for neglected graves and engage in biodiversity projects in our churchyard, the largest green space in Walthamstow Village. Prior to studying at Capel Manor and becoming a professional gardener, Tim taught English for nearly 20 years at Forest School, his alma mater. Tim is a Board Member for Forest Flora, which supports community horticulture in Waltham Forest, and works closely with many local gardening and community groups.

John joined our team as Premises Manager in October 2023 but previously worked for many years as a plumber and tradesman. John is well known for his community work in Walthamstow, supporting the Walthamstow Village gardening group among other projects. As part of his role with St Mary’s and the Parish of Walthamstow, John makes repairs and oversees the practical aspects of St Mary’s buildings – both the church and church hall (Welcome Centre) – as well as overseeing the maintenance of St Gabriel’s Church and Family Centre near Wood Street.

Jonathan Rathbone has been St Mary’s musical director for many years, a role he manages on a freelance basis alongside an active schedule of outside conducting and composing. He got his start as a chorister at Coventry Cathedral and was later a choral scholar at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he read mathematics. He later studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music. Jonathan sang with the Swingle Singers for 12 years and was the group’s musical director for eight of those years. He left the group in 1996 to focus on writing, and has since arranged pieces that have been recorded by Trinity College, Cambridge, Voces8 and other well-known choral groups. Jonathan has also written for film and television, but continues to conduct community choirs around London and continues to faithfully serve at St Mary’s, his local parish church. Jonathan is married to Helen, a singer and music teacher, and they have two grown children.