About Calvary Episcopal Cathedral
A worshipping community since 1872
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 acknowledge and lament the harm too often done to the LGBTQIA2S+ community by the church universal, and are working to build right-relationship with all of our siblings. ALL are welcome here.
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 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 and oversees Calvary's ministry to children and families.
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Vander Lee
The Rev. Robyn Shores Foster
Wendy is our receptionist and provides
all-around office support at the Cathedral.
John & Annie Wagner
Rachel & Luke DeBoer
Rachel & Luke DeBoer
John Wagner is our Sexton. He and his wife Annie have lovingly cared for the Cathedral building and grounds for many years.
Rachel & Luke DeBoer
Rachel & Luke DeBoer
Rachel & Luke DeBoer
Luke and Rachel are our youth leaders. Rachel is a Registered Nurse and Luke teaches English at Sioux Falls Christian High School.
Sunday School Staff
Rachel & Luke DeBoer
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Deacon Robyn Shores Foster leads our Children's Chapel (Sunday School), assisted by Dean Buchman, Joe Tischler, and Pam Johnson.
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Wendy Butler-Boyesen is our nursery director. Assistants are Maimie Thomas, Tim Royse and Elizabeth Bratton.
Dr. Monty Barnard
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Diane Van Den Oever
Canon Precentor Dr. Monty Barnard joined our choir in 1974 and has been our music director and choir conductor since 1987. He is Professor of Music Emeritus at Augustana University.
Diane Van Den Oever
Wendy Butler-Boyesen
Diane Van Den Oever
Diane Van Den Oever is our organist, is an accomplished piano accompanist, and has 20-plus years experience teaching Spanish, primarily at the college level.