New to Tombstone, Joel Ireland preaches part time at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, but his day job is working as an attorney in the law firm of Goldberg & Osborne.

Known in Tucson for his contentious 20-year tenure on the board of the
Tucson Unified School District (TUSD), Ireland completed his last term in December 2008 and decided not to seek re-election.

"Twenty years was enough," Ireland said.

Ireland was a key player in debates around TUSD's federal desegregation order and the increase of teacher salaries while a member of the TUSD board.

During Ireland's tenure, TUSD increased teachers' wages from an annual salary of roughly $19,000 to almost $33,000.

Ireland had proposed to increase taxes for business owners within the school district while simultaneously giving homeowners a tax break – one of many decisions that raised eyebrows.

Now that Ireland's days at TUSD are in the past, he looks to fulfill a lifelong dream.

Influenced by his head priest at St. Michael's Parish Day School, Ireland went to the University of Arizona where he studied Latin and philosophy.

"It was always my plan to become a church scholar," Ireland said. "One of the things I like most about being a priest is that you can change individuals and communities for the better. This is what human beings should be about - the greater good. My priesthood gives my life purpose."

Originally from Tucson, the 56-year-old Ireland has been working at St. Paul's since January when he filled in for then-priest Jack Smart.

Ireland said he feels preaching for a historic church in a historic district is like being a part of history.

"The historical continuum is great," Ireland said, "and my priesthood has been an anchor for bringing good to the community."

Carol Roselli, volunteer and historian at St. Paul's, said she is appreciative of Ireland's enthusiasm, which stands out in a church of mostly elderly members.

"He's certainly younger than most of the congregation," Roselli said. "But he has lots of energy and is definitely excited to be here."

Other churchgoers are also enthusiastic about St. Paul's newest addition.

"Father Joel's lessons teach you about things you should do and think about way down deep," said 87-year-old Barbara Graves Nickles, a member of St. Paul's Church for roughly seven years. "He's really great."

"I think Joel is very competent," said Wil Wiemer, senior warden of St. Paul's.

"He has a unique talent of relating scripture to the everyday life of people of the congregation. He has a better appreciation of who we are. Also, both my kids are attorneys, so I like attorneys."

"I want to continue the outreach and let people know we're here," Ireland said. "St. Paul's is really a bridge between Roman Catholic and Protestant without that absolute authoritative hand in everything."

Ireland said he likes preaching for one of the oldest churches in Arizona, and that it has stood in Tombstone through the good times and bad. He hopes to continue the history of St. Paul's through his sermons.

"I believe one should preach with the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other," Ireland said. "I try and connect the community and the world."

JOEL IRELAND

• Age: 56
• Birthplace: Tucson
• Education: The University of Arizona
• Favorite Scripture: Romans 10:9
• Last Book Read: Biography on FDR, currently reading biography on Lyndon Baines Johnson

ST. PAUL CHURCH

• National Register of Historic Places
• Oldest Protestant church in Arizona
• Thought to be the oldest Episcopal church west of the Mississippi
• Known for its stained glass windows and Gothic style arches
• First built in 1882, now 127-years-old