Staff
Craig M. Dressler — Executive Director of St. Mark’s
Craig Dressler has been at St. Mark’s since April 2014. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religion (Christian Tradition) and Music (Pipe Organ) from Westminster College and holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from the Boston University School of Theology where he focused his studies on the Hebrew Scriptures. Craig is passionate about Biblical literacy and fostering ecumenical relationships.
Before coming to St. Mark’s, Craig served at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Dover, Mass., the Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie, and Fairview Presbyterian Church in Fairview.
Craig resides in Erie with his wife, Jill, their son, Grayson and their daughter, Ava.
In the Erie Episcopal Collaboration, Craig oversees stewardship, planned giving, and assists with planning of mid-week services and contemplative prayer offerings. Additionally, he assists with all strategic planning.
The Rev. Sarah Brock – Vicar
Sarah Brock (pronouns: she/her) is a native of Rochester, NY. Upon the completion of her M.Div. at Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary (now Bexley Seabury Seminary), Sarah moved to Boston to continue her formation as a monastic intern at the Society of St. John the Evangelist through the Episcopal Service Corps. She lived, worked, prayed, and ate with the brothers for an academic year experiencing the monastic rhythm of life together. Following this internship, she decided to make Boston her new home.
For two years, Sarah served as a pastoral intern with common cathedral, a street church that worships outdoors every Sunday on Boston Common.
She was ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in 2019 at St. John’s in Beverly Farms where she served as Curate then Assistant Vicar.
Carly Rowe — Executive Director of Operations & Outreach
Carly Rowe joined the staff of St. Mark’s in the fall of 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Communication Arts from Thiel College and a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Gannon University. Carly has served both the diocese and the Episcopal Church on a national level in various capacities. Prior to her work at St. Mark’s, she served at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie.
Carly resides in Erie with her husband, Sean, and their daughter, Lauren.
In the Erie Episcopal Collaboration, Carly oversees all communication, coordinates all outreach to the community, maintains the program calendar, and assists with all strategic planning.
Franci Titus — Communication Coordinator
Franci Titus joined the staff in December of 2021. Franci is a resident of Erie and currently a senior at Mercyhurst University, receiving a post-baccalaureate certificate in Graphic Design. She has an impressive portfolio of graphic design work, experience in adaptive, team-based systems, and the ability to create and improve digital media
Franci is part of the new Erie Episcopal Collaboration Staff and works primarily out of the Cathedral Office.
Niambi Mercado — Assistant for Administration
Niambi Mercado holds a bachelor’s degree from Unity College in Maine and a master’s degree from Antioch University of New England. She has been secretary for an Episcopal parish in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she was also a live-in Catholic Worker volunteer. She has also been an Episcopal Service Corps fellow, and worked as a concierge for an assisted living facility. Niambi is an active Episcopalian whose passion for advocacy, social justice, and innovative collaboration drew her to join our new partnership with the Cathedral of St. Paul.
In the Erie Episcopal Collaboration, Niambi manages the front-end operations of both congregations, assisting parishioners and visitors during the week and providing administrative support to the staff.
Lois Zollars — Music Minister
Lois joined the St. Mark’s Team in January of 2019. Born and raised in Erie, Lois has been playing the piano since she was three! She attended Mercyhurst University, majoring in performance and music education.
Prior to coming to St. Mark’s, Lois was the Music Director at Belle Valley Presbyterian Church and the Music and Art Specialist at Sarah Reed Senior Living. In addition to her music, Lois is a professional artist specializing in watercolors and oils. She teaches private piano lessons and composed all of the music for her CD, “Rest in Him”.
Lois is a cat person that loves to read. She lives in Erie with her husband, Bob.
Don Baxter — Vicar Emeritus
The Rev. Don Baxter came to St. Mark’s in 2010. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the Pennsylvania State University and his M. D. at Hahnemann Medical College of Drexel University. While in medical school he joined the U.S. Navy and completed his internship at Bethesda Naval Hospital. After a tour aboard the USS Guadalcanal, he returned to Bethesda Naval Hospital where he completed his residency, and stayed on as a staff dermatologist until 1992.
In 1992 he became an Erie resident and joined Dermatology Associates of Erie where he is now a partner. He attended the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania School for Ministry and was ordained a deacon and then a priest in 2002. He has served congregations in Lake City, Fairview and Erie.