North American Old Catholic Priest David Lett Balances Ministry and Drag Performance

David Lett, a priest with the North American Old Catholic Church, is also known in Washington, D.C., as Lena Lett, a drag performer at the weekly shows at Town. Lett acknowledges the apparent contrast between his two roles but sees them as sharing fundamental similarities. He describes both as requiring confidence, the ability to engage an audience, and the capacity to elevate people to a different place, whether through spiritual guidance or entertainment.

Lett, a native of Washington, D.C., was raised Roman Catholic and pursued a path toward ordination in the Roman Church. He studied philosophy and theology, and completed post-graduate work in Italy, becoming the only member of his Scranton, Pa., class to study in Rome. However, as he neared ordination, he began to question his ability to fulfill the promises required of a priest. He felt unprepared, both due to his sexual orientation and a lack of life experience, to serve effectively as a pastor.

After leaving the Roman Church, Lett worked in fundraising for the Red Cross and later managed a Washington Video franchise, where his drag persona, Lena Lett, emerged around 18 years ago. Though he never abandoned his faith or stopped attending church, he found a new calling within the North American Old Catholic Church. This denomination, which separated from the Vatican over doctrinal differences, allows for a more progressive approach to ministry. Lett was ordained in December 2011 without the requirement of celibacy vows and now serves at various Old Catholic parishes across the region.

Lett is single and resides in Silver Spring. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and photo editing. His journey reflects a commitment to both spiritual service and artistic expression, illustrating a path where faith and identity intertwine.

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