Changing Lives at Anna’s Place NOLA

The Rev. Robert “Bob” John Dodwell, DD was born in Houston, Texas in 1934, and moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1939.  He received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Louisiana State University where he served as the manager of Mike the Tiger. He received a Master’s Degree in Theology from Seabury-Western Seminary, was ordained an Episcopal deacon in June 1958 and priest in May 1959 while a Junior Curate at St. James in Alexandria. He served as Senior Curate and Head Master of the Church of the Good Shepard’s Day School in Lake Charles, Vicar of St. Alban’s Monroe and St. Patrick’s West Monroe before becoming Rector of St. Anna’s Episcopal Church in New Orleans from 1970 until 1994.  Bob received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Seabury-Western Seminary in 1995.

Bob was very involved in leadership activities for the Diocese of Louisiana including Director of Youth, Training Director, MRI Coordinator (conducting several trips to Mexico), Secretary, Executive Board member, Standing Committee member and president.  He also served as president of the Louisiana Episcopal Clergy Association, president of the National Network of Episcopal Clergy Association, Trustee and Executive Committee member for Seabury-Western Seminary, and Trustee of the National Church Pension Fund.

His community work included work as Board of Directors of the New Orleans’ Meals on Wheels, the Mayor’s Task Force on the French Quarter, the Task Force on Mardi Gras, a member of the Executive Board of the Louisiana Historical Society, Chair of the Federation of Churches and Chaplain to the Anglican Seaman for the Port of New Orleans.

Bob, who died of a heart attack on All Saints Day 1998, was a bigger than life character who is remembered by many.

Mary Katherine King Dodwell was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1938.  She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance from McNeese State University.  She worked with the Camp Fire Girls in Lake Charles and New Orleans, the Louisiana Child Welfare System in Thibodeaux, and taught math in public schools in New Orleans.

Mary actively served God as a sponsor for high school youth groups and the Canterbury Club for college students in Lake Charles and New Orleans. Her summers were spent at Camp Hardtner Episcopal Camp and Conference Center as waterfront director and head counselor, and chaired the Diocesan Summer Camp Committee and Training Committee for the camp. She organized and led diocesan youth weekend events and summer mission trips to Mexico. Coming to St. Anna’s in 1971, she was St. Anna’s Youth Director, served on the board of the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women, and was instrumental in establishing support for clergy spouses and retired clergy. The Western Diocese of Louisiana honored Mary with the Distinguished Servant Ministry Award for her leadership at Camp Hardtner spanning three decades.

After Bob’s death, Mary returned to St. Anna’s. An inspiration to many at St. Anna’s and loved by a host of family and friends, Mary passed away in March 2020.