The Rev. Dr. Larry V. Ort began serving as priest-in-charge on March 1, 2014; he and his wife, Judy, moved from their home in Sioux Falls to the rectory next to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in mid-April.
Rev. Ort was ordained an Episcopal priest in June 2013; St. Paul’s is his first parish. Their blended family includes four sons, two daughters, five granddaughters and two grandsons. 

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Dr. Ort received his undergraduate degree in philosophy and religion from Spring Arbor University. He holds a Master of Arts in College Student Development and a Ph.D. in Philosophy, both from Michigan State University.

Larry’s service as a U. S. Air Force officer, as a human resources director, and an educator have provided him with wide ranging and diverse experiences. Shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, Dr. Ort taught for the St. Petersburg State Technological University and later for the Russian-American Institute (RAI) in Moscow. While teaching for RAI, he was named executive vice president.

More recently Dr. Ort served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President and Dean for Institutional Planning, Research and Development at the University of Sioux Falls.

Larry reads widely; he enjoys classical music, movies, good coffee, and friendships. He also enjoys interacting with students and people from other cultures; he envisions St. Paul’s reaching out to both. 

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Fr. Larry completed his training in spiritual direction at the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, SD; he is passionately committed to assisting others in deepening their relationship with God.