The Cathedral of St. Philip - Atlanta, GA

Cathedral Chapter

The Chapter is the governing body of the Cathedral that determines policy issues, sets goals, and provides stewardship of the Cathedral's complex operations. The Chapter reviews the activities of each of the Cathedral's parochial entities and ministries on an annual basis, and reviews the church's financials on a monthly basis. Unlike the vestries of smaller parishes, the Chapter does not usually get involved in the day-to-day activities of the Cathedral; instead, the Chapter of the Cathedral functions similarly to a "Board of Trustees.”

Each year, a Nominating Committee identifies a slate of six candidates for a three-year term on the Chapter, to be voted on by the parish at the annual Parish Meeting in December.


2024 Wardens

Geoff DeLong

Geoff has been a Cathedral member for 24 years, and currently serves as a Finance Committee member, Usher Chair-of-the-day, Lector and Intercessor, and Building Committee member. In Geoff’s previous term on the Chapter he also served as Treasurer, as well as Treasurer for the Friends of Cathedral Music Board, and on several Stewardship Committees. Geoff participates in the Thursday Morning Men’s Group, and in Old Fashioned Sunday School. In the community, he’s been involved with Holy Innocents’ Touchdown Club, the Wofford College Alumni Advisory Board, and North Atlanta Baseball Foundation. He and his wife, Dorsey, have 4 children, two teenagers and 2 young adults: Mary Stewart, Harrison, Sims, and Pruit.

Melody Palmore

Melody Palmore is serving the second year of her two-year term as Junior Warden. Melody has been active at the Cathedral for over 30 years. Currently she serves on the Chapter Executive Committee, Ricks/Wheeler Grants Committee, the Cathedral Towers Board, and attends Old Fashioned Sunday School. Professionally, Melody is a medical doctor and is Associate Professor of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) at Emory University School of Medicine, and Medical Director for the Women’s Program, Grady Infectious Disease Program. She has been active serving on several boards in the community, and is especially interested in health care for women living with HIV and in the intersection of safe housing and improved health. Melody and her husband, Marvin, have two adult children: Sarah and Jack.


Chapter Executive Committee:

  • Senior Warden: Geoff DeLong
  • Junior Warden: Melody Palmore
  • Secretary: Mary Hall Perrin
  • Treasurer: Bronson Smith
  • Margaret Poe

Chapter Class of 2026:

  • Andrea Block
  • Michael Carrin
  • Mike Martin
  • Mary Hall Perrin
  • Bronson Smith
  • Daisy Starr

Chapter Class of 2025:

  • Geoff DeLong
  • Anne Matthews
  • Coby Nixon
  • Margaret Poe
  • Janie Sager
  • Abby Schultz

Chapter Class of 2024:

  • Rod Bunn
  • Sally Burge
  • Sara Chapman
  • Tucker Ballard Mahoney
  • Melody Palmore
  • Ted Park