St. Thomas Episcopal Church
We are a welcoming community of faith and love that serves one another and seeks to draw others to God through our ministries.
Rector
The Very Rev. Melanie Lemburg has been ordained a priest in the Episcopal church since 2004. She graduated with an M.Div from General Theological Seminary, has served multiple congregations in the Diocese of Mississippi, and she was called as St. Thomas's rector in August 2017. Melanie is married to David, who is also an Episcopal priest and is the mom of two. She enjoys reading, running, playing pickleball, and cooking delicious vegan food. Rev. Melanie also serves as the Dean for the Savannah Convocation for the Diocese of Georgia.
Associate Rector
Rev. Colette Hammesfahr earned her MDiv from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in May of 2023 and was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in August of 2023. St. Thomas is her first Call. She and her husband, Kurt, have four grown children. She enjoys camping, kayaking, and relaxes doing jigsaw puzzles and coloring.
Minister of Music
Tripp Hardee is the Minister of Music and Organist at St. Thomas. Tripp is a native of Baxley, Georgia. He received his formal training in piano beginning during his childhood. He has studied piano and organ, along with undergraduate studies in education and music at South Georgia State College and Brewton Parker College. Tripp has previously served as the pianist at Graham United Methodist Church and St. Thomas Aquanis Episcopal Church, as well as Director of Music/Organist at First United Methodist Church of Baxley. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists - Savannah Chapter. He also works full time as a licensed funeral director and embalmer at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel.
Bookkeeper
Tara lives with her husband, their two kids, and their two pugs. She earned her MBA in Finance from Sage Graduate School and her BS in Accounting from Clarkson University. Tara also serves as the Church Administrator at Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church in Richmond Hill.
When she's not working, Tara enjoys spending time with her family and pugs, enjoying early morning workouts, and getting lost in a good book.
EYC Youth Group Coordinator
OliviaKate Castleberry graduated with a Business and Communications degree from The University of North Georgia in 2023.
As of Summer 2024, OliviaKate has stepped into the role of EYC Youth Group Coordinator, she is responsible for executing and planning Sunday afternoon programs for 6th through 12th graders.
When OliviaKate isn't at St. Thomas' filling these roles or worshiping as a parishioner, she enjoys spending time on the water and hanging out with friends.
Nursery Supervisor
Dianne Jones comes to St. Thomas with over 25 years experience as a preschool and Pre-K teacher. Her experience includes working for SCCPSS, Maggie's Morning School and Calvary Day School, as well as, an exercise instructor at the YMCA. She is from Florida and has one son. Her hobbies include working out, planting flowers and cooking.
Sexton
Greg Washabaugh maintains our buildings and grounds. He moved to Savannah, GA in 2021. He is a retired member of the Teamsters and loves to cook.