The vestry of St. James’, Great Barrington, was pleased to call the Rev. Frances Ann Hills, at left, to be its new rector. She celebrated her first service in early December 2007 at the 10 a.m. service.

“Francie,” as Frances likes to be called, was formerly rector of St. Andrews’ Episcopal Church in Elyria, Ohio, a position she held for 11 years.  Prior to that, Francie was the assistant rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Maumee, Ohio, for four years.  From 1986 to 1992, she served as chaplain for various organizations in Amarillo, Texas.

Francie earned a master of divinity degree from The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, in 1991 and was ordained to the priesthood on March 4, 1993, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Maumee. 

She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in journalism from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater in 1971. Francie has been very active in the wider church, serving on several commissions and committees of the Diocese of Ohio.  She was also very active in her church community, serving on several local boards.  From 2002 to the present she has been a chaplain for the Trinity Wall Street Clergy Leadership Project, West Cornwall, Conn.

Francie says she is very much looking forward to serving the people of St. James’ and living in Great Barrington.

George Raymond, senior warden of St. James’, says, “We are thrilled that Francie has decided to come to Great Barrington to be the rector. The whole congregation is looking forward with great anticipation to her [ministry here.]”