Beloved Community Spotlight

Talking to Jennifer Clark might make St. Margaret’s seem instantly familiar—probably because, in many ways, it is home. A cradle Episcopalian, Jennifer first found her way to St. M’s in 2005, encouraged by two dear friends who were already members.

Her very first visit was on a Palm Sunday, and she was hooked from the start. Although she and her husband Jeff spent a few years elsewhere, they returned to St. Margaret’s during COVID, and as Jennifer puts it, they truly came home. Altogether, she’s been part of this parish family for about 15 years.

Introduced by a mutual friend, they quickly realized they were meant to be together—“The rest was history,” she says. Now, together, she and Jeff are regulars serving as ushers at St. Margaret’s 10 a.m. service. They will together celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary this July.

These days they are happily settled in Baton Rouge (now St. George), enjoying life as empty nesters with all four children out of the house. Their household does, however, still revolve around Bentley, their thoroughly spoiled Schnoodle, who clearly knows he’s in charge.

Originally from Bastrop, LA (same as fellow parishioner Will Chapman and church secretary Sandra Shipp), Jennifer’s journey to Baton Rouge included stops in Columbia, SC; Detroit, MI; and five years in Houston, TX, before finally landing here nearly 21 years ago.

Jennifer’s career has always been in Human Resources. She currently serves as an HR Business Partner at a chemical plant in St. Gabriel. Jeff works in New Orleans as the Senior Vice President of Sales for a security services company.

For Jennifer, what makes St. Margaret’s truly special are the people—the rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences, united by a shared passion for serving Jesus by serving others. That sense of connection and purpose has been central to her faith journey here, shaping a spiritual life grounded in community, generosity, and joy.

Outside of church and work, Jennifer loves reading and running—though she’s quick to clarify that she’s firmly retired from marathons about which she borrows a line from Dave Ramsey, who said one day he ran two marathons, “…the first and the last.”

Jennifer also has a fun fact from her younger years: she once hosted a music video TV show in high school, a chapter she’s grateful exists only in memory.

If Jennifer hopes to be known for anything, it’s simple and sincere: making people smile or laugh. Spend a little time with her, and chances are she’ll do both. Say hello and get to know Jennifer—you’ll be glad you did.