Priors List
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After its establishment as a Priory in 1997, St. Vincent grew slowly at first, but regardless of size, its members and strong leaders continued to demonstrate a deep commitment to service, and the ensuing years saw growth in membership and programs.
- Prior I Chev. Chester Fairbanks Cotter, GCTJ, GMTJ (1997-2001)
- Prior II Chev. C. Lockhart (Lock) McLendon, GCTJ (2001-2003)
- Prior III Chev. George T. Sheftall, GOTJ (2003-2005)
- Prior IV Chev. George Louis Custodi, GOTJ (2005-2007)
- Prior V Chev. Robert Earl Alexander, Ed.D., GOTJ (2007-2009)
- Prior VI Chev. Albert Joseph Sadowski, GOTJ (2009-2011)
- Prior VII Chev. Duncan Cairnes Ely, GOTJ (2011-2013)
- Prior VIII Chvse. Lois B. (Loey) Krause, GOTJ (2013-2015)
- Prior IX Chvse. Dina G. Boorda, Esq., GOTJ (2015-2016)
- Prior X Chev. David A. Botsko, PhD., GOTJ (2016-2019)
- Prior XI Chev. William (Bill) Griffin GOTJ, CMTJ (2019-2022)
- Prior XII Chvse. Shandi Botsko, GOTJ (2022-present)
The Priory of St. Vincent has been blessed with a long history of strong, visionary leadership that has grown and transformed the Priory into a leading organization within the Grand Priory of the USA. Prior I Chester Cotter demonstrated the vision and strength of will to take the idea of a Priory in South Carolina and make it a reality. His accomplishment is the reason we are all here today.
Prior II Lock McLendon helped the Priory increase its membership and grow in its early years.
Prior IV George Custodi opened the Priory’s officers meetings to all members, emphasized the spiritual side of being a knight or dame, and encouraged the refashioning of the Postulants Vigil and surrounding activities to foster more spirituality, which now is part of every Convent and Investiture (C&I) weekend.
Prior V Robert Alexander continued his predecessor’s work with diplomacy and grace, and Prior VI Albert Sadowski focused on retaining members by encouraging the involvement of as many knights and dames as possible in priory activities.
Prior VII Duncan Ely moved St. Vincent’s flag from the priory’s birthplace in Beaufort to the geographical center at Columbia, and sought to encourage members to gather locally in preceptories for hands-on service, mutual support and the sharing of good times. As a result of these efforts, St. Vincent has now established four preceptories: St. Christopher, Holy Chalice, The Rock, Michael the Archangel.
Prior VIII Loey Krause undertook responsibility for the planning and preparation for the Priory’s monumental effort in sponsoring and hosting the 2016 Grand Convent and Investiture.
Prior IX Dina Boorda, who assisted in the planning and preparation for the 2016 Grand Convent and Investiture, acted as host Prior for the event in Savannah, Georgia.
Prior X David Botsko was responsible for revitalizing candidate recruitment in the Priory with the goal of increasing quality membership, and presided over one of the first “Recruiting Conferences” in SMOTJ, and the first in Region III, in March 2018 in Aiken, SC. He was also very active and innovative in fundraising efforts on behalf of SMOTJ & the Priory, organizing a benefit concert featuring world renowned Maestro Matteo Fedeli to raise funds for SMOTJ, the Priory of St. Vincent and the church hosting the C&I, and instituting both traditional and silent auctions at Priory C&Is to benefit the Jerusalem Mite and local charities.
Prior XI Bill Griffin shared his deep commitment to sponsorship of students in the Holy Land with the Priory membership, encouraging participation in the program and advocating the establishment of the Consortium concept created by Priory Treasurer Chev. Julian Young to increase participation in the Templar scholarship program, making St. Vincent one of the leading priories in the country in this regard, and has actively grown the membership of the Priory to maintain its vitality.
