Who we are.
Christ Episcopal Church is a growing, faith-filled Episcopal worship community. Our church was founded in 1744 and we moved into our current building across from the Guilford Green in 1838, so as you can see we have a pretty strong history in Guilford! Our church family includes people of all ages, backgrounds, races, and walks of life... from Guilford, to the surrounding shoreline towns of Branford, Madison, Clinton, and beyond. All are truly welcome.
Our staff.
The Reverend Randolph Harrison West is rector of Christ Church. Father West, a native of Oregon, came to Christ Church in 2010 after spending 15 years as the associate rector of St. John’s Church, Norwood Parish in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Fr. West received his BA from Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota. He did graduate work in architectural history at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, and received his M.Div. from The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
In addition to his service as associate rector at St. John’s Church, Norwood Parish, Fr. West served as an assisting priest at Grace Memorial Church in Portland, Oregon, and as both assistant rector and interim rector at Grace Church and chaplain of St. Nicholas’ School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Harrison can be reached at rector@christchurchguilford.org.
In addition to his service as associate rector at St. John’s Church, Norwood Parish, Fr. West served as an assisting priest at Grace Memorial Church in Portland, Oregon, and as both assistant rector and interim rector at Grace Church and chaplain of St. Nicholas’ School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Harrison can be reached at rector@christchurchguilford.org.
Mark Sullivan is proud to serve as Music Director at Christ Church. Mark studied piano with Andrew Klein of the Pre-College Division at The Juilliard School and went on to undergraduate and graduate studies in piano performance, composition, and conducting at the School of Music at Boston University. A Guilford resident for 25 years, Mark appears regularly as a soloist and accompanist, and has served as Music Director of St. Andrew's, Madison, and the United Methodist Church of Clinton, among other positions. He came to Christ Church in the Fall of 2013. Mark can be reached at music@christchurchguilford.org.
Donna Tafel is our amazing Parish Administrator. Donna is just the cheerful, organized and skilled person to fulfill this important role in our parish life. For ten years, Donna served as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, and previously served in administrative roles with national accounting firms. Donna lives in Guilford with her husband Brad and their dog Charlie.
Donna can be reached during Office Hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10a.m. to 3p.m. Otherwise you can leave a message at 203-453-2279, or an email to admin@christchurchguilford.org.
Donna can be reached during Office Hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10a.m. to 3p.m. Otherwise you can leave a message at 203-453-2279, or an email to admin@christchurchguilford.org.
- Dorota Xeller, Director of Children and Youth Ministries, teaches music and dance at Neighborhood Music School and East Shoreline Catholic Academy in Branford. She has extensive music training in opera and piano. She owns a private music company called Twinkletoes Music, which provides music and movement education courses to many schools in the Greater New Haven area.
Dorota was born in Opole, Poland and is fluent in English and Polish. She resides in Madison with her husband Robert, two children Mya and Ryan, and two dogs - Floyd and Thor. Dorota loves taking walks to the beach, biking, reading, and playing tennis with her family. Dorota can be reached at education@christchurchguilford.org.
Will Parker, Youth Mentor, is a cradle Episcopalian with a passion for education, ministry, and creativity. Will hails from San Antonio, TX where he earned his B.A. in Theatre and his M.A. in Teaching. After college, Will taught theatre at the high school level before pursuing a career as a musician. He’s released two award-winning children’s albums, and he and his wife, Cecelia, also write songs and perform together as their duo, BlueRaspberry. In May 2021, Will graduated from Yale Divinity School where he earned an M. Div and certificates in Educational Leadership Ministry and Anglican Studies. Will loves working with middle-school-age students, and he is excited to join the Christ Church Guilford community in his new role as Youth Mentor! will@willparkermusic.com
Donna LaFata, Communications Director, handles correspondence for Christ Church within the parish, and publicity and PR outside the parish in the greater community. Donna taught High School Science before staying home with her children and helping with the family business. Donna can be reached at
communications@christchurchguilford.org.
communications@christchurchguilford.org.
Kate Haggans, Newsletter Editor, is a retired professor of music. She holds a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Arizona and taught at the university level and with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis Artists-in-Training program. She and her husband moved to Guilford in 2018 to be closer to their children and granddaughters. Kate can be reached at newsletter@christchurchguilford.org.
Paul Ferraro is our amazing Sexton, and he takes care of everything ELSE that is needed to keep our congregation, our building and our community running smoothly!