The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler

Denomination: The Episcopal Church (TEC)
Organization: The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, GA

The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler is Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, GA.

Samuel Glenn Candler has been Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, since October of 1998. He was raised on a farm in Coweta County, Georgia, and he received his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Occidental College, in Los Angeles, California. In 1982, he graduated magna cum laude from Yale University Divinity School (and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, its Episcopal component). Ordained deacon in 1982, and priest in 1983, Dean Candler has served churches in Marietta and Cumming, Georgia; and in Summerville, South Carolina. Immediately before he was called to St. Philip's, he was Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina, from 1993-1998.

Sam Candler loves the community and diversity of parish life. An amateur pianist, he had intended to become a jazz musician before he was called into the priesthood. Thus, he values the role of music in prayer, and he has served on Liturgy and Music Committees in several dioceses. He also loves the outdoors, where he also finds community and diversity. Having grown up in rural areas, he continues to fish, hunt, hike, and observe the stars as much as possible. In South Carolina, he was a member of the Governor's Commission on Race Relations; and he believes that the Church must continue its social and civic call to justice for all. His vision for St. Philip's Cathedral is that it continues to grow as a passionate and vibrant community of Christian faith, serving the city and diocese of Atlanta.

Dean Candler has lectured and preached in England, Costa Rica, and Canada, besides many places in the United States. He is known for his optimistic and progressive vision of traditional Christian church life (and life in the Episcopal Church). He is also committed to interfaith relationships of good faith. He is a member of The Faith Alliance (the interfaith network in the city of Atlanta) and World Pilgrims (a group committed to taking Jews, Christians, and Muslims on interfaith pilgrimages together). Finally, Dean Candler presents lectures on religion and science, and on environmental sustainability and earth stewardship. Besides his sermons and articles, Sam Candler writes a commentary called "Good Faith and the Common Good," (www.goodfaithandthecommongood.org); and he is a writer for Episcopal Cafe (www.episcopalcafe.com).

Sam Candler serves on a variety of boards and organizations. He is on the board of trustees of The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University in New Haven, and the George West Mental Health Foundation Atlanta. He also serves on the boards of the Compass Rose Society of the Anglican Communion and the Cumberland Island Preservation Society. He is a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club.

Dean Candler is joined in his life and ministry with Boog, his wife, who is a preschool teacher and an interpreter for the deaf. She, too, grew up on a farm, in Maryland. They have three grown children.