Bishop George Sumner announced this week the appointment of the Rev. Michael Gilton, vicar of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Prosper, as the Canon to the Ordinary, effective April 1.

“Michael brings executive experience, knowledge of church planting, a knowledge of the diocese, and a pastor’s heart,” Sumner said.

Gilton parachuted into Prosper in 2008 where he began St. Paul’s as a Church Plant. After years of meeting in a school building, the church opened its newly constructed church and pre-school in 2015. The church plant is a success story for the diocese.

“There was no other person who had the necessary traits and skills, other than Father Michael, to initiate this Capital Campaign, develop this new facility, and oversee its construction, our transition, and introduce us to our new future in our new home, said Vestry Senior Warden Brad Fortune. “God’s plan doesn’t stop there.”

Gilton said the new job is bittersweet because he is sad to leave the people of the church that he had started, but looks forward to the opportunity to serve the bishop and the diocese.

“As I’ve said to many, St. Paul’s is the greatest parish in Dallas, and I could not imagine leaving St. Paul’s for another parish. That said, Canon to the Ordinary is a perfect match for my skills and a great opportunity for both me and Kathleen; and, having been appointed by the Bishop, I will serve,” Gilton said.

Beginning April 3, retired Bishop James Stanton will be overseeing St. Paul’s during the interim. He will preach and celebrate at the 8:15 and 10:30 morning services, teach adult Sunday school at 9:15 a.m., and be on call for pastoral issues. Church leaders are moving forward to find a replacement for St. Paul’s.

“What lies ahead is good,” Fortune said. “There has been plenty of prayer, time and thought put into the future of St. Paul’s. We anticipate a formal announcement in mid-April.”