Chaplains and Religious Life

Father Benjamin Straley began as Rector of S. Stephen’s parish on 15 August 2020, the Feast of the Assumption. Prior to his call to S. Stephen’s, Fr. Benjamin served for two years as the Assistant Rector of St. John’s in Essex, Connecticut. While there, his primary focus was pastoral care along with Christian Formation and Adult Education. He was particularly passionate about forming deeper engagement with discipleship and spirituality.  Prior to ordained ministry, Fr. Benjamin was Associate Director of Music and Organist of Washington National Cathedral, and he is a graduate of the Yale School of Music and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

In his free time, he enjoys cooking, British television, improving his sailing skills, and heaping affection on his pets: two cats named Charlie Brown and Linus, and an Australian Shepherd-Siberian Husky mix named Grace.  Grace is quickly becoming an ambassador for S. Stephen's as she encounters Brown University students around campus!