Supporter Stories: John and Margaret Dalton

As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a submariner and the Secretary of the Navy in the Clinton Administration, John Dalton has had to navigate his fair share of choppy waters – and he understands the value of strength and stability. John’s steady hand has proven useful in navigating challenges and growth opportunities during his tenures on the Cathedral Chapter, Dean’s Council, Veterans Advisory Council and Campaign Cabinet for A Cathedral for the Future.

His new book, “At the Helm,” charts his experiences on the seas of life and business and features endorsements from Presidents Carter and Clinton. John admires the Cathedral’s unique role in leading the nation in paying tribute to public servants, such as Senator J n McCain and Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright a Colin Powell. “Who else speaks our faith to the nation?” he said, “Things that bring the country together will be just as important a hundred years from now as they are today.”

In addition to its national importance, the Cathedral holds a personal significance for John and his wife, Margaret, who are active members of the Cathedral Congregation. John serves as a Communion minister and reader, and was installed as an Honorary Canon in 2018. Margaret volunteers at Friendship Place, a partner organization addressing homelessness in D.C. The two begin each day watching Online Morning Prayer, and most Monday mornings John emails his friends a link to the video recording of that Sunday’s sermon from Cathedral. “We always knew that the Cathedral was important, but during the pandemic we really learned how important it is,” he said.

Wanting to do their part to sustain and grow the Cathedral’s ministry, the Daltons made a campaign commitment that supports annual operations through both outright and planned gifts, and a special contribution to the programmatic life of the Virginia Mae Center and Cathedral College of Faith & Culture, a key pillar of the comprehensive campaign. “When I decided to make a commitment to this campaign, I took the practical approach,” he said. “There are many ways to
give, big or small.”

A conference room in the new Virginia Mae Center has been dedicated in honor of Margaret and John Dalton for their longtime support of the Cathedral and their extraordinary gifts to the A Cathedral for the Future campaign.