Christ Church Episcopal, Hudson, New York was established in 1802. The Gothic Revival church structure was designed by architect William G. Harrison and consecrated in 1857. The church interior is marked by soaring lancet stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ. In 2005, Christ Church was designated as an individual landmark in the Hudson by the City of Hudson Historic Preservation Commission, and in 2007, Christ Church was placed on the State and National Historic Register.
As a parish, we are active in Hudson’s vibrant and diverse community and warmly welcome all—regardless of race, nationality, income level, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity—with a love and generosity of spirit that is the very mirror of God’s love for us all, no exceptions.
Christ Church is part of the Episcopal Church. As Episcopalians, we believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and are part of the world wide Anglican Communion. We are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world. To learn more about the Episcopal Church as well as the Anglican Communion, please go to: https://www.episcopalchurch.org.
Christ Church is also a member of the Diocese of Albany, NY. To learn more about the diocese, please go to: https://albanyepiscopaldiocese.org
MISSION
Our mission at Christ Church is to spread the good news of the Gospel, to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and deepen our faith through worship, study, and prayer. We follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ by providing a warm spiritual home to all, regardless of race, gender, age, socio-economic status or sexual orientation. We acknowledge that all people are entitled to participate fully in the life of the Church and her sacraments—no exceptions. At Christ Church Episcopal all are welcome!
~ Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church Episcopal, April 9 2022
CLERGY
The Reverend Kathleen Killian and the Reverend John Allison, married, are the vicars at Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson, NY. They came to the Hudson Valley most recently from the Diocese of Maine where they served separate parishes and maintain canonical residence.
Prior to both attending General Theological Seminary in New York City, Father John taught writing and literature at universities and community colleges in Kentucky, Chicago, and New York, and also served as a hospital chaplain in Brooklyn and Queens, and, in Maine, served as coordinator of chaplaincy services at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. He said he continues “to emphasize the importance of pastoral care in parish ministry.”
Mother Kathleen was a professional modern dancer in New York City, with a background in music. She went on to earn a degree in Dance Anthropology, and taught dance, movement, and music in both public schools and private settings. She was the proprietor of a yoga and healing arts center and remains “devoted to contemplative and healing practices, seeing both as integral to parish life and the ministry of the gospel.
STAFF
J. Thomas Martin: Music director and organist for Christ Church for thirty years and a life member of the parish, he says his motto is ”He who sings prays twice.” Music has always been an important part of worship at Christ Church. The volunteer choir of about ten members sings at the 10:30 Mass every Sunday and at special occasions throughout the year. A twenty-five rank Leonard Carlson organ, one of the finest instruments in the area, was installed in 1967 and is well maintained and still in use today.
Sue Bellinger, Parish Administrator: Sue began as Office Manager at Christ Church in 2008. After a two-year break, she returned as Parish Administrator in 2021. A long time resident, she appreciates the diversity of Hudson, and relishes the opportunity to interact daily with both the spiritual community and the secular.
Maria Eigenbrodt, Bookkeeper
VESTRY
Sandra Gill, Senior Warden, 2026.
Following a rewarding twenty-eight year teaching career, including being a department head in the Hudson City School District, in my “retirement” I found time to become involved in various organizations. Fortunately, my husband, Stewart, is most supportive of my activities.
Presently, I am serving on the alumni board of my independent school in Brooklyn, NY. Previously, I was a trustee and volunteer at The Home (a former Hudson retirement residence). Currently, I am a member of Delta Kappa Gamma (an international teacher organization) and am a chapter officer of the internationally known PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization). For eight years I was president of HRC Showcase Theatre, a play reading theater company which operated a national playwriting contest.
I have found my involvement at Christ Church most fulfilling. Over the many years, I have served this church in various capacities, such as: vestry member, senior warden, altar guild member, editor of the newsletter (Images), cook at the Wednesday luncheons, and more. Years ago, with the assistance from our former historian, Pat Fenoff, we created a 360 degree tour booklet of the church. While working on this project, I came to appreciate the sheer beauty of this historic church and reflected on the love and dedication of those who came before us. Knowing that my uncle, Bishop Allen Brown, once served as rector here fills me with a sense of great pride
Jamison Teale, Junior Warden, 2024. A native son of Virginia, Jamison has been a resident of Hudson and an actively involved member of Christ Church since 1999. In that time he has served as a lay reader, vestry member, a convention delegate, and senior warden for nine years. He oversaw the design, construction and dedication of the Mac Giffert meditation room, was chairman of the 150th anniversary of the consecration of Christ Church celebration in 2007, and has worked with the acolytes, the altar guild, the floral guild, and the hospitality committee. He was installed as the sub-deacon of the parish by Mother Eileen soon after her arrival. Jamison and his husband James are antique dealers and share their lives with their four schnauzers and a blue and gold macaw.
Laura Hausman, Clerk: I grew up living in the Philmont/Mellenville area. I attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Philmont, which was my family church. As a child, I would go to Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson when I visited my Grandmother, Grace Ritchie. I can remember a rich life attending Beaver Cross Summer Camp and going to Trinity Church, Claverack for weekday Sunday School. In the late 60’s, I started attending Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Philmont with my future husband Paul. After I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology College we were married at Sacred Heart. Paul served in the Air Force for 21 Year and the Watervliet Arsenal for a total of 45 years. We have three adult children and four grandchildren. I have been involved with Sunday School, 4H, and Quilting as a hobby. I believe you are never too old to enjoy being creative, pass on knowledge, give comfort, listen and say I’m sorry.
Peggy Gearity, Treasurer and Vestry 2024, has been a vestry member and treasurer of Christ Church since 2018. Born in NYC and raised in the Bronx, she is the youngest and only girl of four children. She attended Catholic school for twelve years. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College in 1977 and is currently the controller at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in Sheffield MA. Her previous work experience includes accounting positions in both profit and nonprofit organizations. She lives in Ghent with her wife Sara and two kitties, Cleo and Kaylee.
Phillip Schwartz, Vestry Member, 2026, grew up in metro New York and studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA, which awarded him one of the prestigious traveling scholarships for winners of the Fifth Year Competition along with a show at the museum. He has shown at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and at galleries in Boston, Provincetown and New York. He continues to produce and exhibit work and has been affiliated with artist groups that promote causes such as social justice and HIV awareness in local, national and international venues. His work throughout his career has spoken to human suffering, whether in an ancient medium such as egg tempera with gilding or something more contemporary like a paper cutout.
Sara Pettes McWilliams, Vestry Member, 2026. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, graduated from Duke University in North Carolina, and moved with my husband and son to Dutchess County, New York, in 1972.
Career: In 1982 I re-entered the workforce as employee #12 in a small environmental testing lab. As the company grew to become a Superfund contractor, my role transitioned from Manager of Administrative Services to Personnel Director.
I subsequently joined Tallix Art Foundry as their first HR Director. I began my career as an executive recruiter in 1991 when I affiliated with Abbott Smith Worldwide as a Managing Partner. In 2002, I relocated to Columbia County and founded my search practice Kent McWilliams, Inc.; I specialized in HR, Training, and OD positions for client companies nationwide until I retired and closed my practice in 2018.
Community: Shortly after moving to New York I became active in the YWCA of Dutchess County, serving 3 terms as President of the Board of Directors and twice as Co-Chair of Salute to Women. I worked in a volunteer capacity at Grinnell Library in Wappingers Falls for many years, and served as both Secretary and Vice President of their Board of Trustees. Other community involvement included membership in AAUW and Millbrook Rotary and serving on the Board of Managers of the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. For a number of years I was a member of the Advisory Board for the Marist College School of Management.
After moving to Columbia County in 2002 I became involved with several organizations. I recently rejoined the Board of Directors of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity; earlier I served as Habitat Board Secretary, Vice President and President. I’m a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Chatham Public Library. Previous local involvement includes serving on the Crandell Theatre Board of Directors, the Vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kinderhook and as President of Northern Columbia Country Rotary.
Cara Stone, Vestry Member, 2026. Cara grew up in the rural Northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, in the small quaint town of Montrose. After beginning her undergraduate studies at PSU and subsequently graduating with a B.A. in Anthropology and English Literature from UTA, she then studied massage therapy, gaining her license in the healing arts and soon after, started a family in Ithaca, NY. While raising her three children in Ithaca, Cara worked as a professional in the healing arts and was also a prominent figure in the creation of the Ithaca Waldorf School. Cara followed her passion for Waldorf education to the Hudson Valley in 2016, where she then received her Waldorf Teacher Certification and taught as a class teacher for several years. She continues to work as a Waldorf Educator both privately and at the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School in Ghent, NY and has recently begun her work locally as a healing arts practitioner as well. She has been a member of Christ Church since 2019.
Andrew Sedlock, Vestry Member: I’m a 19 year resident of Columbia County’s GlennCo Mills. Raised Roman Catholic in my 20’s my family began attending the Episcopal church, which was an immediate fit for us. Spirituality and prayer has always been an important part of my life. However, as I’m aging I’m finding the need to be part of something; to take part in an active church and to experience that sense of community. In my short tenure at Christ Church I feel I have found that and now look forward to being part of the vestry.