Honorary Assistants

The Rev. Canon Fred Krieger

The Reverend Canon Fred Krieger has degrees in Greek (literature, language, philosophy) and theology.  He married Janet in 1960.  They have three children and four grandchildren.  He was ordained deacon and priest in the Episcopal Church in 1963 and came to Canada in 1966 for graduate studies at Trinity College, Toronto.  He taught theology at the University of King’s College, Halifax (1970 - 1971) and then at Atlantic School of Theology upon its formation where he served, by times, as registrar and academic dean, retiring in 2001.   He is an honorary canon of the cathedral and an honorary assistant, and served as Executive Secretary of Synod for the Diocese. 

The Rev. John Swain

After finishing high school in Halifax John took a Business Course in
1954 and worked for several years at office work. However with the ministry in mind John entered King's College in 1960. During this time he decided to try teaching and received a Diploma in Education in 1964 (Dal). John taught school in Spryfield for several years before resuming his studies for the ministry in 1971, at the Atlantic School of Theology.

Ordained priest in 1974 John served in the parishes of Ecum Secum, Blandford, Milton, P.E.I., and Parrsboro, N.S. In parish work he enjoyed the one on one in parish visiting.

Over the years John enjoyed many trips with his sister Margaret to
Europe, the U.S.A. and the Caribbean. In 1993 he enrolled in a course at St.
George's College, in Jerusalem, 'The Palestine of Jesus'. This included visits to many holy sites as part of the course, and wonderful lectures by international scholars. In addition John attended some international prayer conferences sponsored by the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer. There were interesting speakers and people in attendance from Canada, the US, the Caribbean and beyond.

Retiring in 1995 John served as Diocesan Registrar for a time and became an honorary assistant at the Cathedral, serving as the parish visitor initially. His chief interest has been the Bible Study Group which continues on Friday mornings, followed by the noon hour service.

The Rev. Can. Keirsten Wells

Keirsten Wells is a priest chaplain for the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. She was educated at the University of New Brunswick, Classics and Ancient History, and at the University of Trinity College, University of Toronto, Masters of Divinity. She trained in Clinical Pastoral Education at the Humber River Regional Hospital, Toronto; St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto; and Toronto General Hospital. She provides spiritual and religious care to individuals and groups, workshops in the areas of spirituality and the arts; is a practitioner of Reiki and Logosynthesis. She is from Fredericton, New Brunswick. Keirsten lives in Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia with her husband Tony. She is the Coordinator of Anglican Health Care Chaplains for NS PEI Diocese and provides clinical care at the QEII in Halifax. Keirsten was installed as a Canon of the Diocese in 2018.

The Rev. Ronald Harris

Ronald Harris, following ordination in 1957, served in the Parishes of Blandford, Pugwash-River John, the cathedral (as Priest-Assistant), Bridgewater, and St. James, Halifax. During that time Ronald served on many Diocesan commitees and also took courses in Nova Scotia and New Jersey. Twice he received a travelling scholarship to study and work in the UK at Canterbury, Darlington, and Coventry Cathedral, and also served as Assistant Chaplain in Cardiff, Wales. Since retirement he has been an Honorary Assistant at the cathedral officiating, as requested, on Sundays and mid-week Services and, for several years, visiting cathedral parishioners when in the hospitals. He has also functioned as a replacement for the Diocesan Hospital Chaplain, the University Chaplain and as an occasional officiant at St. Paul's Church and St George's Church in Halifax.

The Rev. Dr. Davena Davis

Davena Davis is a graduate of McGill University and Montreal Diocesan Theological College. She was ordained deacon in the Diocese of Montreal and priest in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. She has worked and taught at McGill University, Queen’s College, St. John’s, Vancouver School of Theology and Atlantic School of Theology. She has acted as Priest-in-Charge of a number of parishes in the Halifax area since coming to Nova Scotia in 1995. An honorary assistant at the cathedral, she is involved with the Tuesday morning study group with Holy Communion following,enjoys her garden and other volunteer activities.