Leadership

Clergy

The Rev. Dr. Matthew Kemp, Priest/Pastor

Fr. Matthew began serving as Vicar of St. John’s and Pastor of Redeemer in June 2024. He grew up in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and joined the Episcopal Church during college. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, he has lived in various places in the Midwest. He received a B.A. in philosophy and theology from North Park University in Chicago (2009) and a Master in Divinity from Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin (2013). After spending two years of full-time ministry in Salina, Kansas, he returned to Chicago to earn a Ph.D. in theology and ethics at Loyola University Chicago (2020), where he also taught undergraduates. He later taught theology at Marquette University in Milwaukee for two years. 

Fr. Matthew was ordained a deacon in 2014 and a priest in 2015. He has served congregations in various capacities in Kansas, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He is especially passionate about worshiping God “in the beauty of holiness” and teaching the Christian faith in its fullness. He and his wife Alethea have been married since 2010. They have five children: Theodora, Macrina, Josiah, Ambrose, and Kateri.