Clergy & Staff
Priest-in-Charge
The Vestry is delighted that The Rev. Virginia Army is the Rector of St. Andrew’s. Virginia serves half-time. Her official title is Priest-in-Charge, which is the title for all part-time clergy in the Diocese of Rhode Island.
Virginia is no stranger to us. She and her husband Tom have been St. Andrew’s parishioners since they moved to Little Compton in early 2022 and she has served as celebrant at numerous Sunday services while our interim priest was on leave. We know her well for her warm, guiding hand and her thoughtful and moving sermons.
The Rev. Virginia Army
Virginia has a great depth of experience. From 2008 to 2021, she was Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Vernon, CT where she transformed a struggling parish into a vibrant and financially sound one. From 1993 to 2008, she was Director of Pastoral Care and Volunteer Services for Day Kimball Hospital and Hospice of Northeast Connecticut and Hospice of Northeastern CT, where she pursued an abiding passion for pastoral care, dignity in dying, and empowering meaningful volunteer work. During those years, she simultaneously served as Priest Associate at Christ Church in Pomfret, CT. From 1983 to 1990 she was Chaplain and Theology Department Teacher and Chair at the Kent School in Kent, CT.
Virginia graduated from Wesleyan University in 1979 and from Yale Divinity School in 1982. She was ordained a priest in 1993.
Virginia lives in Little Compton with her husband Thomas (Tom). F. Army, Jr., Ph.D, who is a Professor of History at a university and a community college in CT. They have five adult daughters and two granddaughters.
Virginia can be reached at: revedva@standrewslc.org
Choir Director & Pianist
A native of Armenia, Gayane Darakyan studied piano at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan. She has won several international competitions and has since performed in many capacities, as a collaborative pianist for instrumentalists and voice, as a chamber musician for various size ensembles, and as a solo pianist. She has also worked with several notable performers at various European competitions.
Gayane Darakyan
In Armenia she served several years as Professor of Piano; her students have won notable international competitions. She was recognized for her teaching accomplishments at these occasions. Her former students have continued to excel in their musical endeavors.
After emigrating to the United States in 2013 and settling in Rhode Island, she has worked at several area colleges and universities as a collaborative pianist and teacher. She continues to perform, record, and privately teach.
Gayane can be reached at music[at]standrewslc.org
Parish Administrator: Alicia Rodriguez
Alicia can be reached at office[at]standrewslc.org