After Nationwide Search, Rhinebeck’s Church of the Messiah To Welcome New Rector from Mississippi

Following a nationwide search, The Church of the Messiah in Rhinebeck, known for its outreach to the LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, its mellifluous organ, and its community choir, has announced the appointment of the Rev. A. Austin McGehee as its new rector.

McGehee (pronounced McGee) comes to Rhinebeck from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Meridian, Mississippi, where he has served as rector since 2017. Meridian is the eighth largest city in Mississippi, with a population of roughly 35,000. He will begin his new role in September.

McGehee replaces the Rev. Richard McKeon, who retired in 2024.

In a letter to the Messiah congregation, McGehee expressed gratitude and excitement about the move, writing, “I am deeply honored, humbled, and incredibly excited to begin this journey with you.” He praised the church for its commitment to “real, meaningful relationships,” its openness to difficult questions, and its grounding in love and joyful worship.

The vestry’s search committee said the choice followed months of interviews and community input about what Messiah values in spiritual leadership. “The happy result of this process of discernment is our enthusiastic agreement to call the Rev. Austin McGehee as our next Rector,” the committee wrote in a statement.

Originally from Georgia, McGehee earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi and completed his Master of Divinity at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. He previously served as Associate Rector at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, where he worked with children and youth, and he spent two years in AmeriCorps supporting at-risk youth in a psychiatric treatment center.

He describes his calling as one of “listening, serving, and growing alongside others” and brings a strong focus on community, sacramental life, and everyday holiness. “I’m excited to hear what makes your hearts sing, how you show up for one another, and how you welcome all people as God’s own beloved,” he wrote.

McGehee and his wife Tiffany, who is currently the director of Meridian Little Theatre, have two elementary-age sons, Alban and Wesley. The family is preparing to relocate to Rhinebeck this summer. “We’re looking forward to planting roots in your community,” he said.

Church members will have opportunities to meet the McGehees in the coming weeks as the parish prepares for their arrival and for Rev. McGehee’s first service at Messiah.

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity,” McGehee wrote. “May this be our prayer and experience as we come together to worship, serve, and build God’s kingdom in the town of Rhinebeck.”

The Vestry Search Committee includes: Meg Devlin, Jacquelyn Elbel, Stephen Frost, Patrick Guy, Meredith Hovey, Ron Peck, Michael Privitera, Stacy Quinn, Joe Rauen, JJ Reardon, Nancy Richard, Vicki Rivera, and Julie Zito.

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