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The Very Rev. Sam Candler

Sam CandlerSam Candler became Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in October 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). He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by the University of the South in 2021 for his “exemplary willingness to take on the hard soul work of Christian responsibility and carry on that work faithfully and lovingly,” particularly in his lifelong devotion to faithful parish ministry. His vision for St. Philip's is that we shine the light of Christ together, by being a passionate and vibrant community of Christian faith, and by serving the city and Diocese of Atlanta, and the world.

Sam loves the lively 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 has served on Liturgy and Music Committees in several dioceses. Besides his love of scripture and bible study, he also loves the outdoors; he continues to fish, hunt, hike, and observe the birds and stars as much as possible. He is a published poet and a nightly seeker of dark skies. A founder of Atlanta’s formal interfaith community, the Faith Alliance of Metro Alliance, Dean Candler is a frequent teacher and preacher in the United States and in the wider Anglican Communion. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Church Pension Fund.

For more of Dean Candler's presentations, go to From the Dean.

Read “Better to Bless than to Curse,” a profile of Dean Candler's life and ministry from Ray Waddle of Yale Divinity School (January 2026). 

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