As an independent church, the First Church in Chestnut Hill is governed by a Standing Committee composed of members elected each year from the congregation. Day-to-day operations of the Church are led by our minister, music director, and sexton.
Rev. Mark J.T. Caggiano, Minister
Rev. Mark is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Divinity School. He also received his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. Prior to the ministry, Mark was a lawyer in the Boston area working in real estate and commercial litigation. He also served for six years as a selectman in Andover, Massachusetts. Rev. Mark is also adjunct faculty at Boston College Law School, teaching a course on religion and the law, and is author of Faith on Trial: Religion and the Law in the United States.
Kathryn Rosenbach, Music Director
Kathryn is known for her performances as a pianist and organist, as well as choral conductor, composer and teacher. She has been a church music director for more than 40 years in various denominations. Kathryn graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a BFA and MFA, received an artist diploma from the Accademia di Chigiana in Siena, Italy and has pursued doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music. She has always been involved with singers of all levels and loves to work with opera singers.
Diego Garrido Barreto, Ministerial Intern & Church Administrator
Diego Garrido Barreto (1996). We are delighted to welcome Diego as our Ministerial Intern and Church Administrator for the 2025–2026 year. Originally from Colombia, Diego holds a Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature. A Unitarian Universalist Aspirant seeking ordination, he is grounded in Christian mysticism and enriched by insights from many religious traditions. Diego’s preaching has been recognized nationally: he was one of the winners of the UU Climate Justice Revival sermon contest in 2024 and received the Hare Preaching Prize in 2025. He is currently completing training in Spiritual Direction through the Spiritual Life Center in Hartford.
In our community, Diego will assist with ministerial outreach, preach once a month, and bring creative approaches to experiencing spiritual care together. His ministry reflects a deep commitment to justice, beauty, and the spiritual growth of all.
Dana Flynn, Sexton
Dana Flynn has served as the church’s sexton since 2004. A graduate of Northeastern University and a retired Newton firefighter, Dana brings a steady, thoughtful approach to caring for the building and its
daily needs. He and his wife, Rose, live in Newton, where they raised their three daughters. His consistent and dedicated work—quietly keeping the spaces clean, organized, and ready for the week’s activities—has supported the life of the church in countless practical ways. And though he prefers to keep to the work itself, those who cross paths with him know his steady interest in sports is never far from reach. The congregation holds a warm and genuine gratitude for his long years of service.