The Rev. Canon K. Dexter Cheney
(Volunteer) Associate Priest
The Rev. Canon K. Dexter Cheney grew up in Ohio, Connecticut, and Vermont. He holds a BBA from Nichols College and an MBA from the University of Oregon. He left active duty as a Coast Guard officer to attend the Episcopal Divinity School in 1977. He graduated and was ordained in 1980. He served St. Columba Episcopal Church on Detroit’s east side, first as assistant, then as rector, from 1980 to 1985. During his ministry there, Dexter co-founded People In Faith United and the People In Faith United Housing Corporation, interfaith groups working to respond to the needs of residents in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood on Detroit’s east side. He was presented with a “Spirit of Detroit” award in recognition for his local work, and for responding to the needs of LGBT people in the city.
Dexter was called as the chief administrative officer of the Diocese of Michigan 1n 1985 and served in that capacity until moving to Connecticut in 1993. He was the home diocese coordinator of the 1988 General Convention, and deputation coordinator in support of deputations attending General Conventions away from home. He was involved in reconfiguring diocesan resources in response to changing needs and diminishing diocesan financial resources. He was active in the Cursillo movement and was elected honorary canon of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, a lifetime appointment.
Since moving to Connecticut with his spouse, The Rev. Canon Barbara Cheney, D.Min, Dexter has specialized in ministry with congregations in transition. He served a full term on the Standing Committee, serves on the diocesan insurance board, is a mentor to people in the ordination process, and does some spiritual direction. He was interim chaplain of St. Thomas’s Day School in the spring of 2015 and serves on the Day School Board of Managers. While he has retired from interim ministry, he continues to serve as Sunday supply priest in congregations around the diocese. He was chairperson of the charter revision commission of the town of Hamden.
Dexter and Barbara live in Hamden. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.
Dexter was called as the chief administrative officer of the Diocese of Michigan 1n 1985 and served in that capacity until moving to Connecticut in 1993. He was the home diocese coordinator of the 1988 General Convention, and deputation coordinator in support of deputations attending General Conventions away from home. He was involved in reconfiguring diocesan resources in response to changing needs and diminishing diocesan financial resources. He was active in the Cursillo movement and was elected honorary canon of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, a lifetime appointment.
Since moving to Connecticut with his spouse, The Rev. Canon Barbara Cheney, D.Min, Dexter has specialized in ministry with congregations in transition. He served a full term on the Standing Committee, serves on the diocesan insurance board, is a mentor to people in the ordination process, and does some spiritual direction. He was interim chaplain of St. Thomas’s Day School in the spring of 2015 and serves on the Day School Board of Managers. While he has retired from interim ministry, he continues to serve as Sunday supply priest in congregations around the diocese. He was chairperson of the charter revision commission of the town of Hamden.
Dexter and Barbara live in Hamden. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.
