Our Stories: Paul Meginnis
Written by Paul Meginnis, Published on July 16, 2018
Kay, my late wife, and I moved to Des Moines in January 1969. I was transferred here by the public accounting firm of Peat, Marwick Mitchell for a position in the local office’s tax department. Kay and I attended services during that January at St. Tim’s, St. Andrew’s, St. Luke’s, and St. Paul’s.
St. Paul’s fit the experience we had in Illinois by its stronger liturgical emphasis. The Rev. William Jacobs was the rector at the time, and since he had come from the Diocese of Springfield, Ill., we felt a further affinity.
It has been a great experience, but Kay’s passing in 1995 certainly was the saddest time for our son Colin and me.
My membership in the Vestry occurred in 1973 into 1976 and 1981 into 1984 when I served as senior warden. It was an unusual time since Father Jacobs retired after 20 years at St. Paul’s — his wife, Marian, is still with us, bless her heart. At that time, the senior warden was in charge of the church, except for the liturgy, which was the responsibility of the interim priest, Ted Peterson. He was excellent, and there was strong sentiment to offer him our rector’s position, but it was prohibited at the time.
It was certainly a more stressful time for me since I was a partner at work by then. In honor of Bill Jacobs, a retirement home called Jacob’s Place was built on Hickman Road and 30th Street, open to all religions and under management of the Des Moines Housing Authority.
The designation of St. Paul’s as a Cathedral in 1993 was a major step. Bishop Chris Epting made St. Paul’s the liturgical Cathedral, while Trinity-Davenport remained the historical Cathedral.
I retired in 1985 and soon became the diocesan treasurer for the next 19 years. During that time Alan Scarfe was named Bishop.
In the past 20 years or so, we have become a very accepting congregation and have been blessed by many wonderful new members. Since becoming a Cathedral, the series of effective deans has encouraged this wonderful eventuality.
In 2004, on my retirement as diocesan treasurer, I was honored by being made a Lay Canon of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s.
Because Kay is interred in the Columbarium and honored by the artistic rendition on the east wall of the Sanctuary, and because of my relationship with Jo Sloan, St. Paul’s is the most important location in my life and always will be.
