Clergy - Staff

The Very Reverend Spenser Davenport Simrill was born in 1948 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  In 1972 he married Susan Stuart Davenport. The couple has four children: Spenser Jr., Helen, Stephen and Susan, deceased. Dean Simrill was educated at Hampden Sydney College (BA), University of Louisville (MAT), Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Mdiv), General Theological Seminary (Anglican studies) and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Dmin). His first job was as a school teacher at Koinonia Partners, Americus, Georgia, the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity. After answering God's call to the ministry and completing theological education, Dean Simrill served Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville, Kentucky (1979-1986); Canon and Priest-in-Charge) Ascension and Holy Trinity Church, Wyoming, Ohio (1986-1992; Rector) and St. Luke's Church, Atlanta, Georgia (1992-2002; Rector).  He began his ministry at St. Mark's on March 18, 2002.  Contact

Born  in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1958, Canon Richard brings a wealth of experience to our ministry team. He was ordained to the Episcopal Church thirteen years ago, and has served in several positions in the Episcopal Church, the Church of England and at the American Cathedral in Paris, France, both as rector and as a member of clergy teams. Prior to joining Saint Mark's, he was rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Greenville, South Carolina, where he  restored a youth program, refined and added liturgies, worked with other churches and renewed congregational development programs. Canon Richard worked in London from 1997 to 2002 where he occupied various community roles while developing his congregations.  Canon Richard says, "I love the richness, diversity and depth of the Anglican tradition.  I have been blessed to serve in the Episcopal Church and the Church of England in a number of very different congregations (ranging from 'Broad Church' to 'High Church' and 'Anglo-Catholic'), each of which have provided me with a wealth of ministry experience to call upon.  Reflecting on those experiences, I have come to realize that I thrive and am happiest as a member of a large collegial team in a church committed to a vibrant and deliberate ministry."  Contact

Jan was born in a small town in Iowa, Mt. Pleasant, and married her High School sweetheart (Dick).  After college they moved to St. Paul, and have made a home in Woodbury since 1966.  Their four children are married, and they have been blessed with 7 terrific grandchildren.  Jan has worked for 17 years at Minnesota Public Radio/ Rivertown Trading Company/target direct, and retired in 2001.  She was ordained a deacon in 1989, and served as deacon at Saints Martha and Mary in Eagan for 8 years. Jan joined the staff as Deacon at St. Mark's in 1997, and feels blessed to be a part of this wonderful community.  Dick and Jan are also kept on their toes by their cute pug, Bella.  Contact

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Canon Cara was baptized and raised in the Episcopal Church.  She was active in the youth ministry programs of the diocese there and spent three summers during college as a counselor at the diocesan camp.  It was in doing this work that she first felt that God was calling her to the priesthood, and she continued to explore this call during her time at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. When Canon Cara graduated in 2002, she decided to stay in Minnesota and ended up meeting her now husband Michael Lawyer, at Cass Lake Episcopal Camp soon after that.  She attended seminary at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas (at the other end of Interstate 35!). Upon coming to Saint Mark’s, Canon Cara said, “I am thrilled to return to Minnesota to be a part of St. Mark's youth and young adult ministry.” Contact

Raymond came to Saint Mark's from Kent College in England, where he served as Director of Music as well as a section leader in the Canterbury Cathedral Choir. Previously, he served as Assistant Organist at Worcester Cathedral and Music Master at The King's School, Worcester. Raymond received his musical training at Peterhouse in Cambridge, England (awarded a Master of Arts in 1984). He worked primarily under Dr. Donald Hunt at Worcester Cathedral as Deputy Chorus Master of a 200 voice choir, but has also experienced the varied approaches of Sir David Willcocks, Dr. George Guest, Simon Preston and Joshua Rifkin. A composer and arranger of both sacred and secular choral music, Raymond's own works have been performed in Worcester Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.  He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. "The Music Program exists to enhance worship at the Cathedral," he says, "To enable people to offer themselves in service to God and to speak to those in the wider community who are not necessarily part of our congregation, young and old alike." Contact

Pat Betsinger was named Administration Supervisor for the Cathedral by Dean Fontaine in June 1993, and is thus the longest serving member of the present Cathedral's staff. Pat has seen a lot of changes and activities over the years. Her responsibilities include bookkeeping, reception and hospitality, and cathedral administration. Contact

As Children’s Minister, Mary plans and coordinates Sunday morning activities for children, from nursery age through 5th grade.  In addition to Sunday school, she is involved in special Children’s liturgies and family events.  These include the Ash Wednesday service, the Advent Event, Vacation Bible Camp and our annual “pool party”, to name a few. Contact

In addition to working closely with the Dean, the staff and parish leaders, Mary Beth also coordinates our marriage ministry. If you're interested in our beautiful Cathedral for your wedding, talk to Mary Beth. Contact

You may also be interested in downloading our Wedding Guide.

As communications director, Kim handles the production of the Cathedral's Outlook magazine, weekly Wrapper news, the Cathedral web site, and events scheduling. Contact