Guy Usher is named permanent rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal

• Father Guy Usher

Father Guy Usher

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Father Guy Usher has been named the permanent rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 502 County Road UU.

He’s not a newcomer to St. Paul’s, however, having served at the church as an interim rector since August 2007.

When he came as an interim, it was not intended that he stay in Hudson permanently. The congregation, however, liked what they saw and selected Usher among a field of four final candidates.

“I told the congregation that I would not stay on unless they went through the normal process and interviewed other candidates.”

In the end, the congregation chose Usher.

Usher, 38, has tried other professions and is an accomplished mechanic. But, from a family that saw his late father and grandfather serve in the priesthood, Usher was eventually drawn back.

He was born in Hayward, but spent most of his grade school and junior high school years in River Falls. His father’s next call, however, led the family to Indiana and Usher graduated from high school in Vincennes, Ind.

“I lived in five communities before I attended college,” Usher said.

He received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Eastern Illinois University (of Tony Romo fame) and went to the seminary at Nashotah House in Nashotah, a city of about 1,200 people just west of Milwaukee.

Usher was ordained in 1997 and spent his first three years in Chillicothe, Ill. In 2000 he went to St. Katherine in Owen for the next seven years, but it was a part-time position. He attended Chippewa Valley Technical School for a year and studied auto mechanics. When not working at the church, he worked at Colby Chrysler Center.

He then went to work for a temporary agency for about six months before getting the urge to re-enter the ministry. He took interim training and his first call came from Hudson when Father John Rasmus retired.

“St. Paul’s has a warm, welcoming congregation and we truly want to love and serve the Lord,” Usher said. “Despite some difficult times (in the Episcopal Church nationally), we have a warm and loving family. We take care of each other and are looking for more ways to reach out.

St. Paul’s is one of the oldest congregations in Hudson, dating back to July 1850. The congregation has about 200 members and has a new church building that opened in 1999.

“We hope to grow, both in numbers and spiritually in the future,” Usher said. “But, it’s not just about numbers — it’s about people serving the Lord. If we keep our focus on Him, His blessings will follow.”

Interests

Obviously Usher has an interest in cars. He actually works and restores vehicles and is the proud owner of a 1960 Triumph TR3.

“I’ve got all the tools and equipment, but can only do so much because I do not have the newest in computer equipment,” Usher said.

“I’m a big fan of Formula 1 racing,” Usher said. “I went to a Formula 1 race in Monaco (France) last May.

He also enjoys biking, kayaking and traveling.

Usher, who is single, has a mother Evelyn Usher and sister Lucy and her family living in the Eau Claire area.

Tags: church news, guy usher, lifestyle, episcopal, rector