Our Clergy

Fr. Bob and Mtr. Lee with Bishop Rayford High

Rector

The Rev. Dr. Robert C. Merrill, Jr., is a “cradle” Episcopalian who was reared in New York City and on Long Island. Fr. Bob is a petroleum engineer, and his career has taken him from the arctic to the tropics. Fr. Bob is married to Carmen, his wife of 27 years. They have a 23-year-old daughter, Elisabeth. Fr. Bob has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Notre Dame. He was called during his time in the Third-World, where the need for the saving grace of the Gospel is painted in stark relief. Fr. Bob is a graduate of the Iona School of Ministry and was ordained Deacon and Priest in the Diocese of Texas. He began his bi-vocational ministry in September 2006 as lay vicar of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Hempstead, where he continues to serve as bi-vocational rector.

Associate Rector

The Rev. Dr. B. Lee Ligon-Borden was reared in Dallas, Texas, and holds certificates in Old and New Testament studies from Moody Bible Institute and a B.A. in English from Sam Houston State University, an M.A. from Texas A&M University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Rice University. Mtr. Lee was introduced to the Episcopal Church by her husband, Gordon Borden. She made her Cursillo in 2006 and is a Daughter of the King. She is on faculty at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of St. Thomas. She has more than 60 articles published and is listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America, International Who’s Who in Professional and Business Women, and Who’s Who in American Education. A graduate of the Iona School of Ministry, Mtr. Lee served her internship at Christ Church, Eagle Lake, and was lay vicar of St. Francis of Assisi in Prairie View before coming to serve at St. Bartholomew’s. She was ordained Deacon and Priest in the Diocese of Texas. Mtr. Lee and Gordon have 6 children, 3 daughters-in-law, 8 grandchildren, and 2 very spoiled cocker spaniels.