Nestled in the far northwest portion of our Diocese is the quiet town of Dalhart, Texas- a place most people pass through on their way to northern New Mexico and Colorado, or use for a gas and food opportunity before the next long leg of their journey. There you will find a well-kept, lovely historic church which serves as home for St. James' Episcopal Church and their gentle, happy priest.

 The Reverend Dr. Phillip Ray came to Dalhart originally to work as a dentist for Texas Tech University in the local prison, and ended up receiving a call to St. James' as their part-time rector. Fr. Phil serves our Diocese as a bi-vocational priest, a relatively new concept in ministry which has become more and more popular as congregations continue to shrink and the economy suffers. He has been with St. James' three years now, as well as continuing his dental practice for the prison population, with both endeavors flourishing under his leadership.

Fr. Phil was born in 1943 in Wichita, Kansas and has an older sister, Marilyn, who resides in Bowie, Maryland. He attended Kansas State University where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Biology before continuing his education at the University of Missouri in Kansas City for his dental degree. After receiving his D.D.S. in 1969, Fr. Phil practiced dentistry in San Angelo for 34 years. During that time he also attended Angelo State where he received a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology in 1991.

Fr. Phil was a trailblazer in our Diocese as the first person to pursue a Master of Divinity through a diocesan Reading for Orders program, begun by our former Bishop, the Right Rev. Wallis Ohl. After studying locally for a period of time he attended the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin for 2 years, where he earned his CITS in 2006. Before receiving the call to St. James' he served as a supply priest for First Presbyterian Church in Dalhart.

Fr. Phil was married to his wife, Sally in 1995 in San Angelo, where they met. Collectively they have 5 children and 8 grandchildren. His family will soon expand as Fr. Phil is slated to preside at his oldest granddaughter's marriage in Brownwood. He and Sally share a common love for preaching, with both being members of the Anglican Order of Preachers. He will soon be named as the Prior of Aquinas House, which covers the Central U.S. region. With a giggle he mentioned that he will soon be a "Prior Friar." Fr. Phil and Sally also share a love for travel. Last summer they ventured to England for a tour of the beautiful English cathedrals and churches, and in late August they will leave for a tour of the Holy Land. His love for ministry has migrated to his son, Stan, who is currently involved with missionary efforts in Romania where they are building agricultural schools and programs to serve the rural population.

When asked what Fr. Phil loves most about his ministry, his answer came without thought or pause. "I love to  serve at the altar and bless children!" He finds great joy in sharing the love of Christ with those tiny parishioners. He is also involved as a mentor in the Bi-Vocational Priest program currently underway in our Diocese.

So, next time you're in Dalhart, take a left off the highway to visit St. James' and Fr. Phil Ray. You won't be disappointed with the genuine hospitality and love you'll find there!