The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill

The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill began his ministry as rector of St. John the Divine in early 2021.

Leigh is a native of Tappahannock, Virginia, a river town in the rural Tidewater region of the state. His formation in The Episcopal Church began at The Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. Leigh received a B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and later received his Master of Divinity from the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee). He was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Virginia. Leigh also earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto in Canada.

Leigh has served on the clergy staff of five Episcopal parishes in his ministry. Prior to moving to Houston, Leigh was the rector of St. George’s Church, Nashville, TN, for 16 years. Previously, Leigh was rector of St. Mark’s Church in Jacksonville, FL, following service as associate rector, St. Luke's Church in Birmingham, AL, and as assistant rector, St. James's Church in Richmond, VA.

He is married to Susalee Cain Spruill, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and they have three adult children, Eleanor, Peter, and William, and two small grandchildren, August and Susalee.

Leigh’s passions include poetry, oysters, golf, and cheering UNC sports from afar! A lifelong baseball enthusiast, he is one of the Houston Astros' newest big fans!