Simon Austen
Rector
Simon came to know Jesus after hearing about him on a summer camp as a teenager. After studying and teaching Biology, Simon was ordained at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford and was curate in Buckinghamshire. He then became chaplain at Stowe School, Buckingham and then vicar of a church in Carlisle. He’s been at St. Leonard’s since 2013 and has oversight of the staff team, PCC and teaching throughout the church. He is married to Fiona, a professional musician, with three grown up children.
Chris Keane
Associate Rector
Chris is married to Elinor, a Classics teacher, and they have three children. He grew up in a churchgoing family, but it was during his time at university that he really grasped the significance of Jesus’ death for us. After studying Computer Science and working in IT for a few years, Chris trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford and was a curate in Basingstoke. He came to St Leonard’s in 2011 and, among other things, oversees the student ministry and the PGP Training Course.
Paul Sutton
Curate
Paul arrived at St Leonard’s in 2020 to serve as curate. He can’t remember not knowing the Lord, having had the blessing of Christian parents who taught him about Jesus from the very beginning. Paul first began to consider ministry as a student in 2007, but after working as an church apprentice he worked for a large outsourcing firm, then trained for ordination at Oak Hill College in London. He and his wife Genny have three children.
Ruth Clarke
Children & Families Minister
Ruth grew up in a churchgoing family and, by God’s grace, can’t remember a time when she didn’t know Jesus as her Saviour. She has been part of the St Leonard’s Church family since arriving in Exeter as a student in 2003. After graduating, Ruth worked as a Ministry Assistant at St Leonard’s for a year before training as a primary school teacher. In 2019 she began working full time with the under 11s and their families at St Leonard’s Church and has continued to build on our strong links with St Leonard’s Primary School.
Mel Mullen
Ministry Support Administrator
Mel has 2 grown up children and is married to Nick, a nurse at the local hospital. Mel came to know Jesus at her church youth group and school Christian Union, when she realised she needed to decide for herself who Jesus really is. Mel works in the office three days a week organising Sundays and much more.
Fiona Quine
Church Administrator (Safeguarding & Bookings)
Fiona is married to Tim, who works at the University, and they have 2 children. Fiona was brought up in a strong Christian family but made her own commitment to Christ at 14. She has worked in the office for 4 years dealing with mainly Safeguarding administration and Centre bookings.
Rachel Gardner
Assistant Children & Families Minister
Rachel is one of our Ministry Assistants working alongside Ruth with children and families.
Becky Tanton
Ministry Assistant
After growing up in Kent with her two brothers, Becky moved to Exeter in 2020 to study Sociology and Criminology at the university. Despite having professed faith for a number of years, she came to realize her need of a Saviour afresh during her first year, and has since grown to know the Lord more and increasingly seek His glory. After three years at St Leonard’s as a student, she is now working for the church as a Ministry Assistant.
Tom Richards
Churchwarden
Alfredda Lake
Churchwarden
Alfredda says: I became a Christian in my 20s, accepting Jesus’ invitation to take up the cross and follow him. In all the ups and downs of life, it is the Lord’s love, forgiveness, grace and faithfulness together with the support of loving, prayerful Christian friends that has kept me following. One of my favourite definitions of a Christian: ‘One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread’.
I am married to Pete, and we have 2 sons, a cat and a dog.
