Introducing The Reverend Canon Gregory Baker
The Wardens and Vestry are excited to announce that The Reverend Canon Gregory Baker accepted our call to be the 11th Rector of Saint Mary’s.
Reverend Baker is currently the Canon for Formation and Liturgy at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, IN. Reverend Baker’s start date will be Sunday, November 30th.
If you have questions, please contact Tom and Chris.
After a lengthy and rigorous search process, the Discernment Committee recommended Reverend Baker to the Vestry. On September 17, 2025, the Vestry voted unanimously to call Reverend Baker to be our next rector. Bishop Brown consented to us calling Reverend Baker and gave his enthusiastic blessings.
Reverend Baker has a passion for liturgy, preaching, and traditional music. He has energy and enthusiasm that is contagious. He manages, among his many other duties in his current position, the children and youth ministry staff and budget at the Cathedral. He also enjoys collaborating with lay leaders to provide pastoral care. Prior to Seminary, he served with the Episcopal Service Corps in Boston at a mobile health clinic providing free services to under served communities. He is also looking forward to his role as a partner and storyteller for Stewardship, including annual pledging and our Heritage Campaign.
Reverend Baker is described by the Discernment Committee as having a “spark” and being authentic and humble. He also has a good sense of humor. He immediately connected with our Mission and Four Growth Directions as affirmed by the parish during the many Listening Sessions and Online Survey. He is excited to grow with Saint Mary’s by collaborating with us to build an authentic, vibrant, Christ-centered community.
Reverend Baker grew up an Episcopalian in NH and still has family in NH. His fiancée, Natalie Ake grew up in WI and holds both a Doctorate of Pharmacy as well as an MBA. Together they enjoy reading, hiking, playing soccer, and spending time with their beloved cats, Earl and Wednesday, and rescue dog, Watts.
Reverend Baker earned his Master of Divinity with a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT, and his B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in Religious Studies from Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT. Reverend Baker was ordained by the Rt. Rev. Rob Hirschfeld in the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire.
The Bishop, Wardens and Vestry want to express their heartfelt appreciation to the Discernment Committee for their dedication and for donating hundreds of hours over the last 12 months to this most important endeavor. Thank you to Penny Dougherty, Rob Kurtz, Betsy Parks-Stamm, Pat Peard (co-chair), Ben Rodgers, Ginny Stelk, Merle Marie Troeger and Tricia Wheeler (co-chair)!
We will conclude this announcement with Reverend Baker in his own words:
Dear Friends in Christ,
I am humbled and overjoyed to have been called to serve you as Rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Having gotten to know this parish through the profile materials and conversations with the search committee, I am filled with hope for the ministry that lies ahead of us. I believe that God has some wonderful things in store for St. Mary’s, and I can’t wait to discover them with you all very soon.
Please know of my prayers for you in the coming weeks, and I look forward to beginning my ministry among you on November 30th, the first Sunday of Advent – a day when we will celebrate the work of God’s new creation both for our community and the wider world.
Yours in Christ,
Greg