St. Stephen’s is pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. Virginia (Ginny) Bennett as our supply priest through the month of August, while the Rev. Michael Dunnington is on medical leave.
The Rev. Dr. Virginia (Ginny) L. Bennett is originally from Des Moines, Iowa. Mother Bennett was ordained a priest at Christ Church Cathedral (The Diocese of Missouri) in January, 1990. She graduated from Aquinas Institute of Theology (St. Louis) receiving a Master of Divinity degree as well as a Master of Systematic Theology degree (with honors) in 1988. She further attended Seabury Western Episcopal Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, where she completed her Doctor of Ministry degree in Anglican studies in 1993.
Mother Bennett has served seven congregations in four dioceses. After having spent nearly 18 years as Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Edwardsville, Illinois, the longest serving rector in their 130 year history, she retired in June of 2013. However, shortly thereafter she began helping out at Grace Episcopal Church, Kirkwood, Missouri, as she had mentored their rector, Father Todd McDowell, in his own journey to the priesthood. She served Grace Episcopal Church for nine years before retiring again, in August of 2022.
Prior to studying for the priesthood Mother Bennett received a B.A. in Biology from Webster University, a D.C. (doctor of chiropractic) degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College, Kansas City, Missouri, as well as an R.N. after graduating from Missouri Baptist Hospital School of nursing (St. Louis). Prior to studying for the priesthood, her lifelong desire, she was Associate Professor of Clinical Diagnosis at Logan Chiropractic College for ten years.
Mother Bennett has two grown daughters, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Her special interests are preaching, teaching, and liturgy.
