CLERGY AND STAFF
RECTOR
The Reverend Clayton Harrington
Father Clayton began his time at St. Matthew's in January 2026. As rector, Clayton has the privilege to lead, learn, and grow with God’s people, in all that he does. That looks like serving in the liturgy, teaching, preaching, meeting with parishioners, planning community events and service, and working with the vestry to provide leadership for the parish, just to name some highlights. In all of this work, he is passionate about the potential of Christian community, worship, and service to empower all of us to grow into the people that God has made us to be.
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
Kelly McGhee
Kelly and her husband, Johnny, have been active members of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church since 1989, where they raised their three children. Prior to retirement in 2021, Kelly served as the accounts manager for The Academy of Arts at January’s and as the Convention Planner for the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia. Kelly happily returned as the Parish Administrator in 2026. When not in the office the McGhees enjoy spending time with their family, live theater, traveling and weekends snow skiing. They are both grateful for the years they have spent with the St. Matt’s family.
NURSERY DIRECTOR
Mickey Compton
Mickey is from Birch River, Nicholas County. She attended school at Nicholas County High School and West Virginia State College. She has three daughters, Shamelle, Rebecca and Melissa Kelley, as well as six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She ran a personal care home for thirty-two years and did child care for the state of West Virginia for six years. She has been at St. Matthew’s since 2013.
CHURCH MUSICIAN
Sara Golden
An accomplished musician, Sara holds a master’s degree in music from Ohio University. She has performed recitals and in shows across the tri-state area, including Carnegie Hall’s “First Stage” series in Lewisburg, WV, “Dido” in the Baroque opera “Dido and Aeneas” at Concord University, and even as “Madonna” in a Carnival Cruise Lines “Legends” show. Most recently, she has enjoyed performing locally with theatre companies including the Charleston Light Opera Guild in roles such as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, June Carter in Ring of Fire, Morticia in The Addams Family, and Alice Murphy in Bright Star. She is also a music director and choreographer for productions with The Alban Theatre. She has been teaching movement, music, and arts for over a decade. A “Jill of All Trades,” Sara is also certified Yoga teacher through the Yoga Alliance (E-CYT), a dance teacher at a local studio, a certified holistic nutritionist, and is a juried wool artisan at Tamarack.
CHOIR DIRECTOR
Philip K. Washington
Phil was born in Detroit, Michigan, as the sixth child of Rev. Hiram C. Washington. He started singing in church at three or four years old in his father’s church. During high school he won an audition for a musical tour to South America. Upon returning Phil joined a gospel group, “The Detroit Harmoneers.” With that group he opened for the Five Blind Boys from Alabama, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and countless others. He is a Vietnam Era Veteran of the U.S. Air Force after high school. Dr. William J. L. Wallace, retired president of West Virginia State College (now University) brought Phil to Charleston, WV, where he enrolled in WVSU and later received his bachelor’s degree. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University where he was Marshall’s first “Jazz Studies” class graduate. He has performed with The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Marvelettes, Doc Severinson, Wynton Marsallis, Marvin Stamm, and many other artists. He has opened for Chubby Checker, The Ink Spots, and more. Phil was the choir director of St. Timothy Lutheran Church for nearly eight years and was the choir director for Cross Lanes United Methodist for two years. He has taught music at West Virginia State University for over seventeen years. Philip has been the on-air talent for the WV Lottery for nearly twenty-six years.