Rector

The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill

Leigh Spruill and Family
Leigh and his family


The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill began his ministry as rector of The Church 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 one infant grandson, August.

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!

Articles

from The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill

Seek the Welfare of the City

by The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill on

Being the people of God is not dependent on a physical campus any more than Israel’s identity is dependent on living comfortably in Jerusalem. A loss of majority status – as painful as it may be – offers fresh opportunities to remember that God’s people are called and gifted by the Spirit to discharge their mission in the world without being in charge of the world.

You are the Light of the World

by The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill on

What does the mission of St. John the Divine look like for the blessing of our neighborhoods, our city, and the larger church?

The Nau Matching Gift for Facilities Upgrade

by The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill on

SJD grateful for offerings that make much-needed renovations to facilities possible.

Welcoming Bishop Fearon

by The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill on

Bishop Fearon joins ministry in November as Bishop-in-Residence for Evangelism, Mission, and Global Partnerships.

SJD Campus

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