Recent News

Rev. Melinda Hall, recently named Dean of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie, PA, can trace the roots of how she got to where she is now to Georgetown College. “I would not be in ministry at all were it not for Georgetown. It was during my four years at Georgetown that I discovered a different way of living faith - and it changed the course of my life.”

A 2006 graduate of Georgetown College, Rev. Hall majored in English and minored in History and Economics. She will become the first woman to lead the Cathedral of St. Paul’s congregation.

Rev. Hall has a thoughtful demeanor, embodying the self-evaluation encouraged of students at the College. “Personally, it is very important that I continue to foster patterns in my life that produce self-reflection and provide avenues for growth.”

As she steps into her new role, she looks forward to building connections as a means of growth and service. “Both the Cathedral and the city of Erie are in times of transition, making the opportunity to serve very exciting.  Figuring out ways for the Cathedral to dialogue with the changes in the city and serve as a relevant sacred space for the downtown will be challenging and interesting. 

“I look forward to partnering with the folks at the Cathedral and building on what is already there (e.g. ministry to the homeless, a charter school relationship), while also exploring new ways to engage the spirituality of the city. I am excited to join their journey and discover how we will serve the city of Erie.”

Hall will move to Erie with her husband, Rev. Nathan Royster, a Presbyterian minister, and their son Luke.

Reflecting back on her time at Georgetown, Rev. Hall wonders whether she would be where she is without the transformational education she received. “Leaving Georgetown, I did not imagine I would be in ordained ministry, but my time there was invaluable to my formation - personally and professionally.”