1608 Virginia St. East, P.O. Box 5400, Charleston, WV 25361  ·   304-344-3597  ·     Resources

Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
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Diocesan Staff

The Diocesan Staff consists of both office staff in Charleston as well as others with specialized ministries around the Diocese.

See our listing below for individual contact information.

Charleston Office

The Rt. Rev. Matthew D. Cowden
VIII Bishop Diocesan
|
The Rev. Canon Chad Slater
Canon to the Ordinary
Annette Combs
Chief Financial Officer
Tracy Hannah
Executive Administrator to Bishop Cowden
The Rev. Canon Jordan Trumble
Canon for Communications & Congregational Development
Jennifer Slater
Receptionist

The Rt. Rev. Matthew D. Cowden

VIII Bishop Diocesan

The Right Reverend Matthew Davis Cowden is the eighth Bishop of West Virginia. He was consecrated as Bishop Coadjutor on March 12, 2022, and became Bishop Diocesan on October 14, 2022.

With family roots in West Virginia, Bishop Cowden was born and reared in northern Virginia and then spent his teenage years in Miami, Florida. Raised with contemplative practices as a Quaker in the Religious Society of Friends, Bishop Cowden eventually found the Episcopal Church in his twenties. While pursuing a BFA and MFA in the performing arts, he combined his study of classical theater with that of liturgy and religion.

After an early career as a college theater professor, he followed his joy to pursue ordained ministry and received his Master of Divinity degree at Virginia Theological Seminary. Bishop Cowden was ordained deacon and priest in 2006. He served parishes in the Dioceses of Virginia and Northern Indiana. As a Trainer in Congregational Development ministries, Bishop Cowden has led rural and suburban congregations in developing a shared vision for implementing new ministry.

He is married to Melissa Cowden, his best friend and partner in ministry. Melissa is an early childhood educator with a master’s degree in multicultural education. They have three young-adult children: Meghan, a nurse; Nicholas, a ballet dancer; and Joshua, a computer science major. Bishop Cowden loves hiking, running, making memorable meals, folklore, and storytelling.

The Rev. Canon Chad Slater

Canon to the Ordinary

Annette Combs

Chief Financial Officer

Tracy Hannah

Executive Administrator to Bishop Cowden

The Rev. Canon Jordan Trumble

Canon for Communications & Congregational Development

Jennifer Slater

Receptionist

Staff Based Outside of Charleston

Cheryl Harshman
Sandscrest Director
304-277-3022
Chris Villamagna
Sandscrest Assistant Director and Chef
Daisy McBride
Peterkin Director
304-822-4519
Paul Barker
Highland Educational Project Director
304-327-6861
Catherine Saxe
Canon for Mission & Ministry
Linda Comins
Dayspring Editor

Cheryl Harshman

Sandscrest Director
304-277-3022 |

Chris Villamagna

Sandscrest Assistant Director and Chef

Daisy McBride

Peterkin Director
304-822-4519 |

Paul Barker

Highland Educational Project Director
304-327-6861 |

Catherine Saxe

Canon for Mission & Ministry

Linda Comins

Dayspring Editor


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The Rt. Rev. Matthew D. Cowden
VIII Bishop Diocesan

    The Rt. Rev. Matthew D. Cowden

    VIII Bishop Diocesan

    The Right Reverend Matthew Davis Cowden is the eighth Bishop of West Virginia. He was consecrated as Bishop Coadjutor on March 12, 2022, and became Bishop Diocesan on October 14, 2022.

    With family roots in West Virginia, Bishop Cowden was born and reared in northern Virginia and then spent his teenage years in Miami, Florida. Raised with contemplative practices as a Quaker in the Religious Society of Friends, Bishop Cowden eventually found the Episcopal Church in his twenties. While pursuing a BFA and MFA in the performing arts, he combined his study of classical theater with that of liturgy and religion.

    After an early career as a college theater professor, he followed his joy to pursue ordained ministry and received his Master of Divinity degree at Virginia Theological Seminary. Bishop Cowden was ordained deacon and priest in 2006. He served parishes in the Dioceses of Virginia and Northern Indiana. As a Trainer in Congregational Development ministries, Bishop Cowden has led rural and suburban congregations in developing a shared vision for implementing new ministry.

    He is married to Melissa Cowden, his best friend and partner in ministry. Melissa is an early childhood educator with a master’s degree in multicultural education. They have three young-adult children: Meghan, a nurse; Nicholas, a ballet dancer; and Joshua, a computer science major. Bishop Cowden loves hiking, running, making memorable meals, folklore, and storytelling.

    Welcome to the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia! Find a Church Our Bishop Diocesan Staff Contact Us

    “As the mountains embrace Jerusalem, so God cradles his people.”
    Psalm 125:2

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    The Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
    1608 Virginia Street East
    Charleston, WV 25314

    Mailing Address/PO Box:
    1608 Virginia Street East
    PO Box 5400
    Charleston, WV 25361

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    Phone: 304-344-3597

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    Location

    Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
    1608 Virginia St. East
    P.O. Box 5400
    Charleston, WV 25361

    Contact Us
    304-344-3597

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    Administrative Resources Clergy Resources Parish Resources Spiritual Resources
    Administrative Resources Clergy Resources Parish Resources Spiritual Resources

    The Diocese of West Virginia is in the process of revising our administrative and financial resources, forms, and policies. If you are looking for a specific resource, please contact the Diocesan Office.

    Resources

    The Diocese of West Virginia is in the process of revising our administrative and financial resources, forms, and policies. If you are looking for a specific resource, please contact the Diocesan Office.

    License to Officiate Clergy Transition

    Resources

    The Diocese of West Virginia is in the process of revising our administrative and financial resources, forms, and policies. If you are looking for a specific resource, please contact the Diocesan Office.

    Bishop's Visitation

    Resources

    The Diocese of West Virginia is in the process of revising our administrative and financial resources, forms, and policies. If you are looking for a specific resource, please contact the Diocesan Office.

    Holy Week Resources

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