In 1892, McDowell was ordained by the North Ohio Annual Conference of the M.E. Church. McDowell served as a minister in Lodi, Ohio from 1882 to 1883. He then served in Oberlin, Ohio from 1883 to 1885, and served in Tiffin, Ohio from 1885 to 1890.
He then became the chancellor of the University of Denver, serving 1890–99. During this time he was also a member of the Colorado State Board of Charities and Corrections (1894–1899).
In 1899, he became the secretary of the Board of Education of the M.E. Church, serving until his election to the episcopacy. He also became a member of the International Committee of the YMCA.[3]
Episcopal ministry
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As a bishop, McDowell also served as president of the Religious Education Society (1905–06). He was a Yale lecturer on preaching, and was noted as a preacher to preachers.
— (1909). "An appreciation of Abraham Lincoln". Souvenir of the Lincoln day celebration commemorating the centennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. Cincinnati, OH. pp. 14–22.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
— (1915). "Address". Memorial exercises on the occasion of the semi-centennial anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Springfield, IL: Lincoln Centennial Association. pp. 41–63.