The Very Reverend Spenser D. Simrill, Dean of the Cathedral
The Very Reverend Spenser Davenport Simrill was born in 1948 in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1972 he married Susan Stuart Davenport. The couple have 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
The Reverend Canon Richard H. Norman, Jr.
Born in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1958, 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 joinging 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. Richard worked in London from 1997 to 2002 where he occupied various community roles while developing his congregations. 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
The Reverend Jan Dougherty, Deacon
I was born in a small town in Iowa, Mt. Pleasant, and married my High School sweetheart. After college we moved to St. Paul, and have made our home in Woodbury since 1966. Our four children are married, and we are blessed with 6 terrific grandchildren. I worked for 17 years at Minnesota Public Radio/ Rivertown Trading Company/target.direct, and retired in 2001. I was ordained a deacon in 1989, and served as deacon at Saints Martha and Mary in Eagan for 8 years. I joined the staff as Deacon at St. Mark's in 1997, and feel blessed to be a part of this wonderful community. Dick and I are also kept on our toes by a cat, Charlie, who is almost 22, and our cute pug, Bella. CONTACT
The Reverend Canon Cara Spaccarelli
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, I was baptized and raised in the Episcopal Church. I 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 I first felt that God was calling me to the priesthood, and I continued to explore this call during my time at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. When I graduated in 2002, I decided to stay in Minnesota and ended up meeting my now husband Michael Lawyer, at Cass Lake Episcopal Camp soon after that. I attended seminary at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas (at the other end of Interstate 35!). I am thrilled to return to Minnesota to be a part of St. Mark's youth and young adult ministry. CONTACT
