The Rev. Kate E. Wesch is Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex, Connecticut. She has served full-time in parish ministry since 2007 and is passionate about the church’s capacity to transform those whom God calls to our spaces.
Kate is a native of Ponca City, Oklahoma where she grew up attending Grace Episcopal Church. She received her undergraduate education at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in Letters, and holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. She was ordained to the priesthood in 2007.
In 2007, Kate was named Associate Rector of St. John the Baptist in West Seattle. She then served as Interim Priest-in-Charge at Church of the Holy Spirit, Vashon Island for one year. Kate settled into the role of Associate Rector at Epiphany Parish of Seattle and remained in that position more than eight years. This was a time of steady growth for the parish, and Kate wore many hats. She was instrumental in the growth of many programs and ministries including building up a vibrant small group ministry and the oversight of staff.
She was elected Rector of St. John the Baptist, West Seattle in 2017, where she brought principles from the College for Congregational Development in order to collaboratively grow the community. In 2021, Kate was elected Rector of St. John’s in Essex, CT where she has focused on revitalizing a growing parish. Kate’s passion for parish ministry is expressed in the vitality and enthusiasm of the communities where she serves. With a keen focus on following Jesus, reading the Bible, and forming disciples, Kate meets people where they are and invites them to more.
In the wider church, Kate has served as a Deputy to General Convention as well as serving on interim bodies. From 2019-2022, she served on the State of the Church Committee. This group focused on the many opportunities and challenges facing the Episcopal Church, especially but not limited to, resourcing small congregations, care and maintenance of aging facilities, the need to confront systems of oppression and racism in our church, and exploring what God is asking The Episcopal Church to be in the future. Kate currently serves on the board of Forward Movement as former Chair and current Vice Chair.
Kate enjoys hiking and backpacking. She is married and has two school-aged children.
