Honoring the Legacy of The Reverend Canon Stephen B. Swann
October 14, 2025
Celebrating the Visionary Founder of The Episcopal School of Dallas
Each year, on the birthday of The Reverend Canon Stephen B. Swann, The Episcopal School of Dallas community pauses to remember and celebrate the extraordinary life of the man whose faith, vision, and courage gave rise to one of Dallas’s greatest educational success stories.
Father Swann founded The Episcopal School of Dallas in 1974 on the unwavering belief that every child is made in the image of a loving God. That single conviction became the cornerstone of a school that continues to shape young lives more than fifty years later.
Faith was the essential ingredient in all my actions and the actions of those who agreed to help start The Episcopal School of Dallas.
— The Reverend Canon Stephen B. Swann
A Vision Rooted in Faith
In 1974, at just 29 years old, Father Swann accepted the challenge of founding a new Episcopal school in Dallas. Undaunted by limited resources and countless obstacles, he brought together devoted educators, tireless community leaders, and parents eager to build something lasting for their children. His restless, entrepreneurial spirit and deep faith inspired others to share his dream—one that began humbly with a small group of seventh-grade students and has since grown into a thriving community of more than 1,150 joyful, curious learners from age three through twelfth grade.
Though The Episcopal School of Dallas was officially founded in 1974, its roots stretch back decades earlier to the post–World War II vision of Bishop Harry Tunis Moore and the parish of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. From these beginnings, Father Swann emerged as a natural shepherd for a new generation of students. His years as chaplain at The Saint Michael School revealed both the challenges and the opportunities of Episcopal education in Dallas—and ultimately inspired him to create a school that would guide students not only in mind but also in spirit.
Building a School of Faith, Integrity, and Purpose
The Episcopal School of Dallas was built on three founding tenets: Religio (daily worship), Eruditio (scholarship), and Disciplina (training within a community of learners). Under Father Swann’s leadership, these principles became the lifeblood of the school. They formed the foundation of a community that encouraged students to explore their faith, engage deeply with their studies, and commit themselves to lives of purpose.
Over nearly four decades as Rector and Headmaster, Father Swann’s leadership transformed ESD into a hallmark of Episcopal education. His deep belief in the inherent worth and potential of every student shaped not only the school’s mission but also its culture—a culture rooted in faith, service, and intellectual discovery.
A Lasting Legacy
Even after his retirement in 2012, Father Swann’s love for ESD never waned. As Chancellor Emeritus, he continued to advocate for the school and its students, remaining a cherished presence at alumni events and campus traditions. His pride in ESD’s more than 3,600 alums—each leaving their mark on the world—was boundless.
Father Swann passed away in 2018, but his spirit endures in every chapel service, classroom discussion, and act of service that defines The Episcopal School of Dallas today. His vision continues to guide us as we honor the past 50 years and look with faith toward the future.
Looking Ahead with Faith
Today, as ESD celebrates 51 years of faithful learning and leadership and on the birthday of our founding Rector and Headmaster, we give thanks for the foundation laid by Father Swann—a foundation built on faith, courage, and love. His belief that “every child is made in the image of a loving God” remains not only a statement of faith but also a call to action for generations to come.
The Episcopal School of Dallas stands as a living testament to his life’s work—a thriving community of learners prepared for lives of intellectual discovery, integrity, and purpose.
And this is only the beginning.
