Who We Are
As an Anglican church in downtown Charleston, the Cathedral Church of St Luke and St Paul exists to worship God through beautiful, accessible Anglican worship. As we are formed in the gospel, we seek to love our neighbors, communities, and city. This is where the heart of God meets the heart of Charleston.
Our Mission
To be the Heart of God for the Heart of Charleston.
Our Leaders
Dean and Rector
Peet Dickinson serves as rector and dean of the Cathedral. His role involves leading, preaching, and shepherding the people of the church. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Peet has degrees from Wake Forest University and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Before being called to the Cathedral in 2009, he previously served as youth minister at Church of the Redeemer in Orangeburg and as associate rector at St Michael’s in Charleston. Peet is married to Jenny, and they live in the Westside neighborhood with their two daughters, Mae and Ellen, and their son, Bo.
Canon for Cultural Engagement
Patrick Schlabs leads in the areas of worship, teaching, and mission. He grew up in the Texas Panhandle and later led musical worship in a large non-denominational church. After moving to Charleston in 2011, he attended Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and was ordained as a priest in 2015. He joined the staff of the Cathedral in January of 2016 . Patrick is married to Meg and they have three children- Judah, Bridget, and Merryn. They live in Charleston’s eastside neighborhood.
Contemporary Worship Leader
Anna is responsible for all contemporary worship musicians and vocalists at the Cathedral. She grew up around the southeast and is a graduate of the College of Charleston. Before joining our staff, Anna worked at a summer camp and taught Spanish to elementary students. She is married to Don and they live in North Charleston with their daughter Ruth.
Children’s Director
Rachel Hajek oversees all our children’s and family ministries at the Cathedral. She was raised in Alabama and is a graduate of Auburn University. Before joining our staff, Rachel worked as a preschool teacher and as a Child Life Specialist in Memphis, Tennessee and at MUSC in Charleston. Rachel is married to Jeff, an urban planner, and they live in the midtown neighborhood with their son Tripp.
Director of Students
Hunter leads the student ministries at the Cathedral. He was born in Denver, but grew up in South Carolina. He attended Columbia International University where he studied youth ministry and philosophy. Prior to coming to the Cathedral, Hunter served churches in Irmo and Columbia. Hunter is married to Karina and they call Radcliffe Street home.
Building and Grounds Manager
Anthony Royal is responsible for all the buildings and grounds of our historic church. He is a native of Charleston, South Carolina where he graduated from Burke High School. Since accepting the call to serve at the Cathedral in 1995, Anthony has worked hard behind the scenes as our sexton. Anthony is married to Stacy, and they have six grown children and 2 grandchildren.
Choral Ministry Director
Larry Speakman oversees our Cathedral Choir. Originally from Philadelphia, Larry holds degrees from Westminster Choir College and East Carolina University. Before accepting the call at the Cathedral, he led the Concert Singers of Cary, NC and the progressive Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham. Larry and his wife, Ingrid, live in North Mt. Pleasant.
Cathedral Administrator
Helen Smith Terrell serves as the primary administrator on our Cathedral staff. Originally from Columbia, Helen attended Clemson University and moved to the Charleston area some years later. Prior to joining our staff, she worked in marketing. She
lives in Mt Pleasant with her husband Bryan and their family.
Our Tradition
History
Anglicanism originated during the English Reformation, but its roots can be traced back to the early Church. Because of our unique history, Anglicans are a blend of several great traditions of Christianity. Anglicans are Reformed, Catholic, and Evangelical. At its best, Anglicanism can hold these three streams in a healthy, beautiful tension.
Anglicans are reformed
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Distinctives
The two foundations of Anglican belief and practice are the 39 Articles and the Book of Common Prayer. Emerging from the English Reformation, the 39 Articles serves as the primary doctrinal statement for Anglicanism while the Book of Common Prayer provides the shape and substance of public and private devotional life.
Anglicans are catholic
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The roots of Anglicanism stretch back to the first centuries of the church. For this reason, we seek to maintain our identity as catholic Christians through our robust commitment to historic liturgy and regular practice of the sacraments. Anglicans seek to embrace elements of worship and theology that have been practiced throughout the history of the Church while while continuing to seek fresh ways in which that truth can be expressed in our day.
Association
The Cathedral is a part of the Diocese of South Carolina and a member of the Anglican Church in North America. We are committed to an episcopal form of church governance and are submitted to the leadership of our bishop, Mark Lawrence and our Archbishop, Foley Beach. Our church is a member of the Gospel Coalition fellowship of churches.
Anglicans are evangelical
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Evangelicalism traces its roots to the First Great Awakening. The movement stressed the importance of personal salvation and the ongoing work of the Spirit in the work of sanctification. This evangelical heritage continues to play an important role in Anglicanism in America and throughout the world. At the Cathedral we cherish these roots and seek to maintain an emphasis on personal transformation while being open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our church.
39 Articles of Religion
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The Book of Common Prayer
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Since the earliest days of the Anglican church, we have been united by a common order and form of worship, outlined and prescribed by our Book of Common Prayer. Although this book has undergone various changes and adaptations through the centuries, its familiar rhythms and language bind Anglicans together in common praise of our Triune God.
Cathedral History
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Since 1816 the Cathedral has sought to bear witness to the gospel on the corner of Coming and Vanderhorst streets in Charleston. Though the church was founded by planters and built by the hands of slaves, God has mercifully allowed the church to bear witness of Him through sin and despair, through grace and hope. Despite a past marred by sin and a present mired in change, we believe that God has called the Cathedral Church of St Luke and St Paul to continue this witness as the heart of God for the heart of Charleston.