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Mark

Michael

3 years of experience
Washington, D.C.
United States of America (USA)

Contact Options

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

About

I’ve been fascinated by history and travel for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a small town hearing stories about old times from my grandparents and planning out visits to historical sites for my patient parents and brothers.  I first traveled abroad as a teenager, and I have studied and worked in Germany, Greece, England, Ireland, and India.

I was a high school history teacher for six years, and loved bringing the stories of the past to life for my students, sometimes in the places where they happened. For the past two decades, I have been an Episcopal priest, and have led numerous pilgrimages for parishioners and friends to holy places in the U.S., Europe and Asia. I am also a journalist, focusing mostly on international religious news, and have worked with diverse groups of adults and students in a variety of community organizations (Scouting, service clubs, choirs).

Religious history is a special passion for me, because my own faith has been deepened through spending time in sacred places. I have visited nearly forty countries, and am always excited to explore new destinations. Some places I have especially loved are the English countryside, the Shenandoah Valley, Sicily, Istanbul, Montenegro, and Ethiopia. 

I’m new as a professional tour operator, but I’m excited to share my gifts and passions with adult and student groups.

Tours Offered & Destination Knowledge

Bus ToursCultural/Specialty ToursFood & Drink ToursGeneral Walking ToursLarge Group ToursLocal GuideMulti-Day Tour Director/LeaderMuseum DocentPrivate ToursStudent Tour Director

I am a local guide in the Washington D.C. area, and offer tours of

  • The National Mall and Monuments, Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill
  • Smithsonian Museums (especially Gallery of Art, American History)
  • D.C.'s Sacred Spaces
  • Mount Vernon and Alexandria
  • Civil War Battlefields: Antietam, South Mountain, Gettysburg

I have created and led tours abroad in:

  • The United Kingdom 
  • Italy
  • Turkey
  • The Holy Land
  • Egypt
  • Camino de Santiago

Other U.S. destinations I know well:

  • Tidewater Virginia 
  • Boston, New York, Philadelphia
  • Kentucky
  • New Orleans
  • Charleston and Savannah
Fun Fact!
I once won a cow-milking contest
Hobbies & Interests
gardening, fishing, cider pressing, adventures with my wife and two sons.

Testimonials

"I experienced a life changing pilgrimage to England led by Father Mark.His love of history was evident and he possessed an extensive knowledge that captivated the entire tour group. Father Mark created many memorable moments and his attention to detail was extraordinary. I would highly recommend traveling anywhere in the world with him." Kathleen Herrmann

"Mark is organized, prompt, a great communicator before the trip. All of our arrangements related to lodging were smooth and the properties were great. The sites that were included in our trip were superior. The context that Mark provided related to each site was both informative and historically significant. We enjoyed the trip so much that we are taking a trip with Mark in the summer of 2025." George and Dort Casey

"If you’ve read Fr. Michael’s reporting for The Living Church, you know he is charitable, nuanced, inquisitive, and ecumenically minded. As both a priest and journalist, he brings these qualities to his work leading trips that explore Christian history, art, and architecture—and their meaning for the Church today. A humble teacher and sincere Christian, he is an ideal companion for such pilgrimages." The Rev. John Mason Lock

Details

Gateway Airport(s)

DCA, IAD, BWI

Licenses

Washington, D.C.

Training

Trip School Tour Director Certification

Language(s)

English

Additional Education

  • B.Th. in theology, Oxford University
  • B.A. in history, Duke University
  • History and religion teacher for six years, Maryland
  • Episcopal parish priest for 19 years, Maryland, New York, and Virginia

General Availability

Flexible schedule, prefer D.C.-based tours for now, rarely available Sunday mornings.

Photo Album