The Revd Fr Louis Townsend

Rector

Fr. Louis Townsend was originally from Newark Delaware raised on the eastern shore of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. In 2000 moved to the Carolinas.  Fr. Lou has two children and five grand children. After graduating from high school, he attended mechanical trade school, and later Maryland Baptist Bible College. In continuation of his studies, he attended St. Andrews Theological College and Seminary. Called to the ministry he entered Holy Orders into the Diaconate  in March of 2014 in the Orthodox Anglican Church of America, by Archbishop Emeritus T. Creighton Jones. On May 31, 2015 he was ordained into the  Priesthood by Archbishop Thomas E. Gordon.  Fr. Townsend is a passionate  leader, serving as our first rector of St. Barnabas. 

An active leader in the community, Fr. Lou has served  on the board of directors at several local churches and on the National Council of the Orthodox Anglican Church. His gifts include; working with homeless ministries, prison ministries, elderly visitations, bible discussions, community meetings and attending seminars to serve the needs of our community. His favorite quote is “Expect the worst, appreciate their best and thank God for them” Fr. Lou respects all people, always looking for the good in everyone.

As rector of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Fr. Townsend sees the Church as the center of the community where all are invited to experience the real presence of Jesus Christ through her message and sacraments. The church is a worship center, a learning center where we can express our beliefs and participate in sharing true hospitality and love. St Barnabas offers stability in a troubled world, a place of reconciliation, a place of holiness and a place for daily life.

Wendy Townsend

Rector's Wife

Wendy is originally from the Jersey Shore, having moved to North Carolina 20 years ago. She and Fr. Lou married 4 years ago, as Fr. Lou was completing his path to becoming an Anglican Priest.  Wendy has worked in the arena of tourism in Myrtle Beach since coming south. Her background is in management, including  sales, marketing, and facility operations. No task has ever been too large or small for Wendy to take the helm to completion.

When Wendy and Fr. Lou were looking to plant an Anglican church in Brunswick County, they worked side by side to scout locations and pass out invitations. She is currently sitting on Arch Bishop Thomas Gordon’s advisory board.  Her roles at St. Barnabas include:    secretary/treasurer, design of flyers and signs, placing newspaper, tv, internet and radio announcements, hostess, greeter, fundraising, cleaning duties, baker, window washer, assistant in preparing for Sunday Mass, and navigator. She is looking forward to working with the congregation of St. Barnabas.

A great honor was bestowed on Wendy this year at the National Convention when it was announced she was the recipient of the “HelpMate” of the year award. This prestigious plaque is only given out periodically to those wives of clergy that work together toward the goals of growing the Church.

Wendy has two children living in Colorado and Texas with their spouses, and has one “extraordinary” 2 year old granddaughter.