Douglas W. McCaleb, Dean of Trinity Cathedral

On January 1 2006, the Very Reverend Douglas W. McCaleb began his ministry as the dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Miami, and was installed on February 25, 2006.

A native of California, McCaleb earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley in 1971 and did graduate work at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

The Very Reverend Douglas W. McCaleb

He received the Master of Divinity degree from the General Theological Seminary in New York in 1987. While in New York, he served as an intern in both urban and suburban churches, as well as at a crisis shelter for teenagers. Before beginning his seminary studies, McCaleb served for three years as a lieutenant in the United States Coast Guard and seven years as a Foreign Affairs Officer with the United States Department of Commerce.

Prior to coming to Christ Church in Winchester, Virginia as priest-in-charge in 1995, McCaleb served for two years as assistant at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, in Washington, DC, the historic church often called “the church of presidents” because of its location directly across the street from the White House. Among his duties at St. John’s was responsibility for leading an urban outreach program.

In a message to the cathedral congregation before Christmas, McCaleb expressed three hopes for the new ministry he is beginning with the people of Trinity: That the cathedral “will forever be characterized by a spirit of radical hospitality…that no one is left out of the ministries of the church…”; that Trinity will be known as a safe place “where people can freely share their experience and viewpoints without fear of criticism or disrespect”; and that “we can be a church that is not afraid to dream”.

Calling Trinity “a jewel in the crown” of Miami, he says he hopes the cathedral will develop “practices and programs that bespeak beauty, healing, commitment and spiritual growth” for parishioners and for the community.