About Calvary Episcopal Cathedral
The first church in Sioux Falls, SD
Established in 1872, we are the oldest worshipping community in Sioux Falls. We welcome you to join us!
Our Community
Loving, Liberating, and Life-giving.
We are part of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement,
an inclusive, loving community, accepting all of God's children.
No conditions. No exceptions.
We are the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota.
We worship and live gratefully on the lands of the Oceti Sakowin.
Mitakuye Owasin; We are all related.
Our Baptismal Covenant
In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
We do this with God’s help.
-Book of Common Prayer, p. 304
Our Staff
The Very Rev. Ward Simpson
The Rev. Dr. Arlene Pearsall
The Very Rev. Ward Simpson
Father Ward Simpson has served as Dean of Calvary Cathedral since 2009.
The Venerable Paul Sneve
The Rev. Dr. Arlene Pearsall
The Very Rev. Ward Simpson
Archdeacon Paul Sneve is vicar of St. Paul's, Vermillion and serves our Tiospaye Wakan (Lakota) congregation.
The Rev. Dr. Arlene Pearsall
The Rev. Dr. Arlene Pearsall
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Vander Lee
Deacon Arlene is a retired hospital chaplain and is our pastoral care lead at Calvary.
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Vander Lee
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Vander Lee
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Vander Lee
Deacon Jerry is a hospital chaplain and provides pastoral care at Calvary and is active in prison ministry.
The Rev. Robyn Shores Foster
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Vander Lee
The Rev. Robyn Shores Foster
Deacon Robyn is a clinical social worker at a group practice and oversees Calvary's ministry to children and families.
Robin Stucky
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Vander Lee
The Rev. Robyn Shores Foster
Robin is our receptionist and provides
all-around office support at the Cathedral.
John Wagner
Sunday School Staff
Erin & Jon Avery
John Wagner is our Sexton. He and his wife Annie lovingly care for the Cathedral building and grounds.
Erin & Jon Avery
Sunday School Staff
Erin & Jon Avery
Jon & Erin both have degrees in youth ministry and are natural leaders for our youth.
Sunday School Staff
Sunday School Staff
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Deacon Robyn Shores Foster,
Barb Ebeling, Alexis Konstant Mahlen, Joe Tischler, and Pam Johnson.
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Dr. Jonathan Neiderhiser
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Wendy Butler-Boyesen is our nursery director. Assistants are Tim Royse and Elizabeth Bratton.
Dr. Monty Barnard
Dr. Jonathan Neiderhiser
Dr. Jonathan Neiderhiser
Dr. Monty Barnard has been our music director and led the Cathedral choir since 1987.
Dr. Jonathan Neiderhiser
Dr. Jonathan Neiderhiser
Dr. Jonathan Neiderhiser
Dr. Jonathan Neiderhiser is our organist and is Director of Instrumental Music at the University of Sioux Falls.