Steven Balke

The Rev. Canon Steven Balke (email) serves as Canon Vicar at the Cathedral. As the senior associate clergyperson, Steven's primary role is to support the Dean in the mission and ministries of St. James Cathedral. The Canon Vicar is responsible for day-to-day program operations, supporting lay-led ministries, and care for the parish life of the community.

Prior to ordained ministry, Steven was an educator at the Holman Learning Center at Eastern Michigan University and taught Social Studies in the Detroit Public Schools, where he supported the causes of social justice, racial reconciliation, and mental and emotional health care. After attending Virginia Theological Seminary, he was ordained at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis IN. Starting in 2013, Steven served as a Deacon at St. Patrick’s in Washington DC, where he served as a liaison between church and civic social services. He was called to serve as the Curate at St. Paul’s in Waco TX in 2015, then as Rector of St. Stephen’s in Beaumont TX in 2017, where he worked on community development, stewardship, formation, outreach, and pastoral ministries. Steven has also served as a member of the “Kitchen Cabinet” of the Episcopal Health Foundation, a trainer for Mental Health First Aid USA, and worked with Episcopal Relief & Development on disaster recovery.

Steven and his wife, Katie, have three sons, Elliott, Owen, and Isaac. His passions include hosting dinner with friends new and old, singing with others around the piano, sharing stories around a campfire, or any chance to help people see the God in them and the God in those around them.