The Cathedral of St. Philip - Atlanta, GA

Cathedral Chapter

The Chapter is the governing body of the Cathedral that determines policy issues, sets goals, and provides stewardship of the Cathedral's complex operations. The Chapter reviews the activities of each of the Cathedral's parochial entities and ministries on an annual basis, and reviews the church's financials on a monthly basis. Unlike the vestries of smaller parishes, the Chapter does not usually get involved in the day-to-day activities of the Cathedral; instead, the Chapter of the Cathedral functions similarly to a "Board of Trustees.”

Each year, a Nominating Committee identifies a slate of six candidates for a three-year term on the Chapter, to be voted on by the parish at the annual Parish Meeting in December.

Nominees for the Chapter Class of 2026

The Cathedral Nominating Committee has submitted the following slate of candidates, approved by the Chapter, to be voted on by the parish at the annual Parish Meeting, which will take place on Sunday, December 10 at 10 a.m. in Child Hall. The Dean has appointed Geoff DeLong as Senior Warden for 2024-2025. Melody Palmore continues her two-year term as Junior Warden.

Andrea Block

Andrea has been active at the Cathedral since 2010 and is currently involved with Godly Play, the Cathedral Towers Board, and the Farmers Market Advisory Committee. Professionally, Andrea is a litigation attorney, and her current law practice focuses on representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In the wider community Andrea is involved with her children’s schools, and previously volunteered for various therapeutic horseback riding programs. Andrea grew up riding horses and is now riding along with her daughters, MJ and Caroline. In addition to parenting together, Andrea and her husband, Aaron, run a boutique law firm together.

Michael Carrin

Michael has been a communicant at St. Philip’s since his student days at Emory, in 1973, and is involved with the Usher’s Ministry, Community of Hope, Funeral Guild, and Foyer’s Groups. In the past he served on the Ricks/Wheeler Grants Committee. Professionally, Michael is retired after serving as General Manager of Jaguar Land Rover of North Atlanta. In the Atlanta community he served on the Atlanta-Toulouse Sister City Committee, and he enjoys music, pet rescue, and history.

Mike Martin

Mike has been a Cathedral member since 1991. 
He currently serves as a Children’s Chapel leader, and Middle and High School Sunday School teacher, and a Sunday Usher. Previously he was involved with the Newcomers’ Committee, Village Visit hosting, and Foyers. Professionally he is a graduate of Georgia Tech, a Professional Engineer, and Vice President of Engineering at Dycom Industries. His civic activities include coaching youth sports, HOA membership and leadership, and ALTA leadership. Mike and his wife, Virginia, are parents to two adult daughters: Julia and Lucy.

Mary Hall Perrin

Mary joined the Cathedral in 1976 and is currently the Honorary Chair of the 2024 Cathedral Giving by Design. She also serves on the Cathedral Endowment Board, Friends of Cathedral Music Board, the Funeral Guild, St. Anne’s Guild, Altar Guild and as a Lay Reader. In the past she has chaired the Cathedral Antiques Show, served on the Chapter, including as Jr. Warden, as well as on the search committee for the dean, and many other Cathedral organizations including the Cathedral Choir. Mary has retired from professional work but currently serves as Secretary for the HOA Board of Trustees where she lives and has served on boards for garden clubs and neighborhood associations. She is widowed with adult children and enjoys six grandchildren.

Bronson Smith

Bronson has been a Cathedral member since he was a child and he currently serves as an usher and participates in the Thursday Morning Men’s Group. Previously he assisted with the Cathedral Farmers Market and before that played the role of Joseph in the Christmas Pageant! Career-wise he is the Chief Investment Officer for Centennial Holding Company. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Virginia, and MBA is from Emory University. His service to the community includes the University of Virginia College of Arts & Sciences Atlanta Regional Board, and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Corporate Leadership Council. He also completed Christian Leadership Concepts, a two-year program. Bronson and his wife, Laura, are parents to three young children: Perry, Bronson, and Hilliard.

Daisy Starr

Daisy has been a Cathedral member for nearly ten years. She is currently active as a Godly Play teacher, and with the Flower Guild, Green Aprons, and Cathedral Giving By Design. She also participated in the Thrift House Fashion Show and the Community Charity Council. Daisy has served in various capacities at the Cathedral Preschool and at Morris Brandon Elementary School. Professionally, Daisy works at the Cathedral Preschool and in the past worked for The Westminster Schools and Coxe Curry & Associates. Daisy and her husband, Mac, are raising three children: Harley, Jack, and Georgia.

2024 Wardens

Geoff DeLong

Geoff has been a Cathedral member for 24 years, and currently serves as a Finance Committee member, Usher Chair-of-the-day, Lector and Intercessor, and Building Committee member. In Geoff’s previous term on the Chapter he also served as Treasurer, as well as Treasurer for the Friends of Cathedral Music Board, and on several Stewardship Committees. Geoff participates in the Thursday Morning Men’s Group, and in Old Fashioned Sunday School. In the community, he’s been involved with Holy Innocents’ Touchdown Club, the Wofford College Alumni Advisory Board, and North Atlanta Baseball Foundation. He and his wife, Dorsey, have 4 children, two teenagers and 2 young adults: Mary Stewart, Harrison, Sims, and Pruit.

Melody Palmore

Melody Palmore is serving the second year of her two-year term as Junior Warden. Melody has been active at the Cathedral for over 30 years. Currently she serves on the Chapter Executive Committee, Ricks/Wheeler Grants Committee, the Cathedral Towers Board, and attends Old Fashioned Sunday School. Professionally, Melody is a medical doctor and is Associate Professor of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) at Emory University School of Medicine, and Medical Director for the Women’s Program, Grady Infectious Disease Program. She has been active serving on several boards in the community, and is especially interested in health care for women living with HIV and in the intersection of safe housing and improved health. Melody and her husband, Marvin, have two adult children: Sarah and Jack.

 

2023 Wardens

Ward BondurantWard Bondurant
Dean Candler has appointed Ward Bondurant as Senior Warden for 2022-2023.  Ward has been active at the Cathedral for over 30 years.  His current parish involvement includes the Chapter and the Farmer's Market's Executive Committee. Previously, he served as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Stewardship Co-Chair, as a member of the Chapter and its Executive Committee, and as an Adult Sunday School teacher.  Professionally, Ward is an attorney. He has served on several boards, including the Emmaus House Advisory Board and the Westminster Schools Alumni Board, and is currently the President of the Emmaus House Foundation.  He enjoys farming, gardening, and the North Georgia mountains. Ward and his wife, Mary, have two adult children: Sam and Jack.

 

 

Melody PalmoreMelody Palmore
Melody has been active at the Cathedral for over 30 years. Currently she serves on the Chapter Executive Committee, Ricks/Wheeler Grants Committee, the Cathedral Towers Board, and attends Old Fashioned Sunday School. Professionally, Melody is a medical doctor and is Associate Professor of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) at Emory University School of Medicine, and Medical Director for the Women’s Program, Grady Infectious Disease Program. She has been active serving on several boards in the community, and is especially interested in health care for women living with HIV and in the intersection of safe housing and improved health.  Melody and her husband, Marvin, have two adult children: Sarah and Jack.

 

 

 

Chapter Executive Committee:

  • Senior Warden: Ward Bondurant
  • Junior Warden: Melody Palmore
  • Secretary: Mary Caroline Cravens
  • Treasurer: Bill Monroe
  • Merritt Dyke
  • Geoff DeLong

Chapter Class of 2025:

  • Geoff DeLong
  • Anne Matthews
  • Coby Nixon
  • Margaret Poe
  • Janie Sager
  • Abby Schultz

Chapter Class of 2024:

  • Rod Bunn
  • Sally Burge
  • Sara Chapman
  • Tucker Ballard Mahoney
  • Melody Palmore
  • Ted Park

Chapter Class of 2023:

  • Angelica Godoy de Baños
  • Ward Bondurant
  • Mary Caroline Cravens
  • Merritt Dyke
  • Bill Monroe
  • Kate Stotts