Diocesan & National Church Ministry

The Very Rev. Bernard J. Owens

The Dean's Blog

The Very Reverend Bernard J. “BJ” Owens, IV was called as dean of Trinity Cathedral in fall 2018. He is the Cathedral’s 12^th dean since its founding.

In his first years at Trinity Cathedral, Dean Owens has worked to build on Trinity’s long history of transcendent worship, wholehearted inclusion, and committed service to the city of Cleveland, while celebrating and supporting the ministry of the many churches of Diocese of Ohio. Dean Owens has led the process of strategic visioning that identified Trinity’s vocation to be A Sacred Place for All People, and has guided the revitalizing of Trinity’s ministry structure to help achieve that vision. He is also a graduate of the 2022 class of Leadership Cleveland.

Prior to his appointment at Trinity, he served as rector at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Greensboro, North Carolina for eight years. There, he led a growing church, with new members among both young families and mature parishioners. Before St. Andrew’s, he was the Associate Rector for Children’s & Family Ministries at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cary, North Carolina.

Dean Owens attended UNC-Chapel Hill and Yale Divinity School. Between his undergraduate and graduate studies, he worked in film production in New York City. He loves to hike, cycle, and do just about anything outdoors; he and his wife, the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens, live in Shaker Heights with their two children.

Contact Dean Owens

Diane Hexter

It has been a gift to be a member of Trinity for 23 years. This is the first time I have served on the vestry and I am looking forward to these next 3 years. The beautiful music at 11:15 service holds me captive every week. I serve also as a Eucharist Minister, Lector, co-chair for the Flower Guild, and have been a Convention Delegate several times. In the past 10 years I have served the church on several Diocesan Committees. I was on Commission on Ministry for 4-5 years, on Diocesan Council for 4 years, on the Diocesan Nominating Committee for 2 years, and presently serving on a committee to develop Lay Discernment. One of my most rewarding experiences is to Mentor EfM classes for the past 8 years. Professionally, I am an Interior Designer for 15 years, a Realtor for 21 years and received National Recognition for 10 years. I am married to my husband Michael for 21 years and have shared in our Real Estate business together. I have 2 natural children and 2 stepchildren. There are 10 grandchildren in the family. Thank you for your trust in me.

Ute Vilfroy

The Rev. Leah Romanelli DeJesus

Debbie Linkins Fowler