The Very Reverend David J.A. Halt was called to serve as the XXIII Rector of Saint James Episcopal Church of Texarkana, beginning August 1, 2020. 

Fr. Dave came to us from the Diocese of Springfield, where he had served faithfully as a Rector for the preceding ten years.  Prior to this he had served in the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Fr. Dave was born in Toledo, Ohio and raised on a hog farm in Michigan. He attended a small high school where he was involved in theatre, football, wrestling, track, and forensics (debate). He is a graduate of Spring Arbor University (BA 1995), United Theological Seminary (MATS 2002), and Bexley Hall (MDIV 2003).  Fr. Dave engaged in post-Graduate studies in Patristics with the Antiochian House of Studies, under the tutelage of Dr. Christopher Veniamin. 

He is enthusiastic about the study of Patristic and Mystical Theology, especially the Early Church's interpretation and application of Scripture and Tradition. He is currently working on a monograph on the subject of the Ecclesiology of Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos.

Fr. Dave was ordained to the Priesthood on 19 June 2004 in Southern Ohio, and has served several congregations over the past 20+ years. He served 12 years as member of the Ohio Army National Guard, where he earned his spurs with the 2nd Squadron 107th Cavalry, and supported the 155th Chemical Battalion (CERFP).

He is a member of Wilbur Smith Rotary Club, serves on the Board of Directors of Randy Sams, and in prior homes, has worked with community organizations in multiple capacities including board work and fundraising.  Over the years he has served in various diocesan offices: Dean of a rural deanery, member of Council, Ecumenical Officer, and the Commission on Ministry in the Diocese of Springfield.

He has engaged in multiple short-term missions partnerships in Russia, St. Vincent, and Tanzania, including developing partnerships with Dioceses and Parishes of the Anglican Communion and Orthodox Church. 

He has coached football and baseball, and is a member of TASO Football officiating all levels of youth and high school football. He enjoys reading, outdoor activities, home improvement projects, and pilgrimages to historic Christian lands (especially Ireland and Greece).

He has completed the journey to Everest Base Camp, Nepal, trekked Kilimanjaro, and gloriously failed in his attempt on Aconcagua, Argentina in early 2025.

He is the happy husband of Amy, a music teacher at Harmony Academy (TASD), and father of Sarah, father-in-law of Nick (they reside in Kalamazoo, MI), and Liam (Tyler). 

The Rev. Taylor Loy serves as Curate and Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries at Saint James. Though baptized in the Assemblies of God, Taylor later served for seven years as a pastor in the Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church, ministering in churches both large and small and in college ministry at the University of Arkansas, as an intern, associate pastor, and lead pastor. During those years, he discerned a call to the Anglican tradition. After completing the discernment process in The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop George Sumner in December 2025 and a priest by Bishop Robert Price in June 2026. He also serves at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Mount Pleasant, Texas most Sundays, so you may not see him at the 10 a.m. Mass very often.

Taylor and his wife, Bessie, met in her native country of El Salvador and have been married since 2018. They are parents to their daughter, Isabella, who was born in August 2025. Bessie is from Ahuachapan, El Salvador, where they visit annually thanks to the summer break her teaching job at Pleasant Grove High School provides. Taylor is originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, where much of his family still lives.

He earned a B.A. in Political Science from Henderson State University and a M.A. in International Relations from the University of Arkansas before completing his Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. He later earned a Certificate of Anglican Studies through Wycliffe College in Toronto.

At Saint James, Taylor serves as chaplain to Saint James' Day School, where he teaches Christian education to grades 5th-8th and leads weekly chapel services. He also provides Christian education for children and youth and serves through pastoral care, preaching, teaching, and sacramental ministry. He especially enjoys helping children and adults discover the richness of Scripture, Christian history, and the worship and sacramental life of the Church. 

As Parish Administrator, Sandra is the organizing force in keeping things running smoothly around the Church.   

If you need assistance with something at the Church, she is our first point-of-contact and may be reached by phone at the parish office, or by email by clicking the icon below.

Andrew joined the St. James staff as Organist and Director of Music in October of 2008. Andrew also serves as the executive director of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since April 2008, and on the adjunct faculty of Texas A&M University—Texarkana.

Andrew holds the Bachelor of Music degree from Ouachita Baptist University and the Master of Arts in Music degree from the University of North Texas. Additionally, Mr. Clark has done post-graduate work in choral conducting, under James Jordan, at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey; and in organ and hymnology at Southwestern Seminary, in Ft. Worth, Texas.