The Rev. Jerrold Thompson
Rector

The Rev. Jerrold Thompson is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, where he majored in English and minored in Classics. While at Wooster, he was named a Freshman Scholar and was also elected to Eta Sigma Phi, the National Honorary Society for the Classical Languages. After completing a Master of Arts degree in 19th and 20th-century British Literature at Indiana University, he received a Master of Divinity degree, Magna cum Laude, from Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis. At CTS, he received numerous awards, including the Faculty Award and the Alumni Award. He was also named an O. L. Shelton Memorial Scholar and elected to Theta Phi, the Honorary Society for Religious Studies. After receiving a Certificate of Advanced Theological Studies in Anglican Studies from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, Father Thompson continued his academic work while serving full-time in parish ministry. He received the Doctor of Ministry degree, also from Seabury-Western, in 1994.

Before coming to St. Mark's on the Campus in July of 2005, Fr. Thompson served as Canon at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis. As Canon he had oversight of the Cathedral's liturgical life, its formation and educational ministries, and its stewardship programming. On the Diocesan level, he has served in a variety of capacities, including as Chair of the Diocese of Indianapolis Commission on Ministry and, in the Diocese of Ohio, as a member of the Diocesan Catechumenal Team and the Hunger Network in Ohio Board of Directors. Fr. Thompson has particular interest in the formation of both individuals and communities for ministry, as well as in helping others to deepen their spiritual lives, especially by encouraging them to recognize the holy in the everyday. He has led a number of retreats and looks forward to doing more retreat work in the future.

Before serving Christ Church Cathedral, Fr. Thompson served in two pastoral positions: first his curacy as Associate to the Rector of Trinity Church in Bloomington, Indiana; and then for six years as Rector at St. Matthew's Church in Brecksville, Ohio. Other professional experience includes working as a newspaper reporter / photographer; and teaching writing, literature, and learning skills at Indiana University.

In his spare time, Fr. Thompson enjoys being with his family, reading, gardening, and amateur photography.