CLERGY & STAFF | st-stephens

St. Stephen's Clergy & Staff

The Rev. Christopher Montella

Rector

The Rev. Christopher Montella first came to St. Stephen's as Priest-in-Charge in March 2019 after having served as Associate Rector of St. Wilfrid of York, Huntington Beach and various communities in the Greater Los Angeles area. On March 29th, 2020 he was called to serve St. Stephen's as its 3rd rector.

He received a Master of Divinity degree from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA and a Diploma of Theology from Bloy House, the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont where he serves on the Board of Trustees. After a 25-year career in the fashion industry Christopher transitioned into full-time ministry in 2017. He has been a member of GLEAM, the Bishop's Commission for LGBTQ+ Ministry in the diocese since 2011 and is currently serving as its chair. He is deeply committed to living out our shared Christian call to seek and serve Christ in all people, and to ensuring that all people, especially our children and youth, grow in faith knowing that they are loved by the Church and by God. He and his husband, Erick Long, have recently relocated to Santa Clarita with their dog, Dixon.

On being called to serve St. Stephen’s as its rector Christopher said, “I am moved by an awareness of the Holy Spirit at work in our journey together. It is an honor and privilege to be called to walk with the people of St. Stephen's, to share our lives, our hopes, our grief and our joy. The Holy Spirit is alive and on fire at St. Stephen’s and I am excited to see what we will do together through our shared ministry!"