Diocesan Staff

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

The Rev. Canon Jordan Trumble

Canon for Communications & Congregational Development

Catherine Saxe

Canon for Ministry & Mission

Eric Ridenour

Chief Financial Officer

Beth Marquart

Executive Assistant to Bishop Cowden
304-344-3597

Jennifer Slater

Office Manager

Bree Fleming

Diocesan Youth Director

The Rev. Paul Castelli

Vocations Director & Missioner to WVU

Cheryl Harshman

Sandscrest Director
304-277-3022

Chris Villamagna

Sandscrest Assistant Director and Chef

Paul Barker

Highland Educational Project Director
304-327-6861

Jim Cormack

Peterkin Director
304-822-4519

The Ven. David Johnston

Archdeacon for Young Adult & Campus Ministries

The Very Rev. Cheryl Winter

Dean of College for Clergy

Linda Comins

Dayspring Editor

Kim Javins

Commission on Ministry Coordinator