Mother Melanie Rowell taught music and voice in various forms for over twenty-five years, eventually becoming Associate Professor of Music at Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC. In addition, she maintained an active performing schedule as a professional soprano, singing recitals and oratorio as well as roles in musicals and operas. Her love of music not withstanding, she had felt a call to ordained ministry since childhood and felt led to enter the ordination process in 2014. After graduation from the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, she was ordained to the priesthood in 2018.

She served for over four years as Assisting Priest at St. Columba’s Church in Suwanee, Georgia, with Fr. Tripp Norris. Along with her work at St. Columba’s, Mother Melanie served for over four years as Lower School Chaplain at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, teaching religion classes and leading chapel for over 300 students and faculty. In January 2023, Mother Melanie was called to the Church of Our Saviour in the Virginia Highland neighbourhood near Midtown, Atlanta, a growing Anglo-Catholic Parish.

She has been a member of the Society of Catholic Priests since 2017, serving as Secretary to the Council from 2018 to October 2022. In October 2022, she was elected Provincial Convener, a post she will hold for three years.

Mother Melanie enjoys reading, hiking, walking, and traveling.