Dean Of St. Mark's Cathedral Resigns -- Northup To Leave For Atlanta Next Spring

Saying it is his turn to follow his wife's career dreams, the Very Rev. Frederick Northup, dean of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, has announced that he will resign next spring.

Northup, who has led St. Mark's for the past 10 years, told parishioners in a letter last week that his wife had accepted a position with a law firm in Atlanta and he would resign to move there May 31.

"For 30 years my wife, Julie, has interrupted her own career to support me in my ministry," Northup, 52, said in the letter. "When she began law school three years ago I told her that it would now be my turn to follow."

Northup's greatest contributions have been renovating the cathedral and expanding the music and youth programs, said Randy Revelle, senior warden at St. Mark's, "and his deep commitment to human needs."

Under Northup's leadership, membership has increased from 1,300 to about 1,800. The youth program has more than tripled and four choirs were added. There are now three Sunday morning services.

During Northup's time at St. Mark's, parishioners raised $8.8 million to replace the roof and copper dome, renovate the sanctuary and shore up the west wall. A rose window and glass sculpture were installed behind the altar and unveiled last month.

Northup increased the church's urban ministry and was active in gay-rights causes. He is a fellow of the World Affairs Council, president-elect and a member of the executive committee of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, and chairman of the Religious Advisory Committee of Planned Parenthood.

Before coming to St. Mark's, Northup had ministries in Lake Charles, La., New York City, Paris and Memphis.

Sally Macdonald's phone message number is 206-464-2248. Her e-mail address is: smac-new@seatimes.com