Most Presbyterian pastors are well educated, but few can claim to be as well rounded as our own Rev. Dr. James Kearny. Not one to put on airs, we simply call him James. After 15 years as a carpenter, and professional training as an actor, he was called to serve as a pastor. James is passionate about exploring the intersection of ministry and the arts while striving to lead God’s people to be mature followers of Christ.
A graduate of Yale University, James met his future wife Cristie while pursuing acting at Cornish College right here on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. A call to ministry led them to Atlanta for seminary, marriage, four babies, and then to a large, traditional Presbyterian church in Knoxville. God brought James and family back home to Seattle when a non-traditional church plant, Church at the Center, was seeking a new senior pastor. The church was in transition, and through many changes in the next couple years the Holy Spirit led them to merge with a small, traditional Presbyterian church on Capitol Hill, and CHPC was born. James and family are grateful to be back in Seattle ministering to a neighborhood near and dear to their hearts and their history.