St. James' Staff

Dr. Kowalewski came to St. James in the Fall of 2005. Prior to making the move to the West Coast, he was educated and served the church in New York State. He was ordained in the Roman Catholic Church, leaving after several years to pursue a doctorate in Communication. He was appointed to the inter-religious chaplaincy at Syracuse University and served there until he was received as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1990. During the next 12 years, he served two parishes as Rector until he was appointed by the Bishop of Central New York to the position of Diocesan Canon for Formation and Leadership. In this position, he worked to re-energize and re-imagine the church for the 21st century. His ministry and leadership at St. James builds upon his experience and draws from his passion to transform the church for a new age.
»Collapse Bio

Neil holds a bachelor's degree from Occidental College, a Master of Fine Arts in Theater from Cornell University, and Master of Divinity degree from ETSC / Claremont School of Theology. Neil joined the full time staff of St. James' in January 2006. Raised in New York, Neil's career in film and television brought him to Los Angeles in 1991. Raised UCC and United Methodist, Neil joined the Episcopal Church upon moving to Los Angeles.

In 1993, Neil founded a national annual AIDS education and outreach effort for television called, "Day of Compassion." From 2004-2005, he was the Director of ACTION: AIDS CareTeams in our Neighborhoods, an interfaith pastoral care non-profit ministry housed at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Laguna Beach.

Neil is on the board of the Episcopal Urban Internship Program, and serves on the Bishop's commission for HIV and AIDS Ministries. He also develops and coordinates special liturgical and theatrical offerings for the Saint James' community with a group of talented professionals and amateurs, known as the "Saint James' Players."
» Collapse Bio

Currently, Fr. Koh is the full-time Chaplain at St. James' School. Since 1991, he served St. James' Church as part-time Parish Associate and School Chaplain. Born in Seoul, Korea, to an Anglican family, dating back five generations, Fr. Koh immigrated to the United States in 1987. He graduated from Hankook Theological Seminary, continuing his studies in the U.S. at Bloy House and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. He was ordained to the priesthood in January 1992 in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
»Collapse Bio