The Rev. John Robert Spainhour Called as Priest-in-charge of Epiphany, Summerville

The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Reverend John Robert Spainhour to serve as priest-in-charge of The Church of the Epiphany in Summerville. While Father Rob most recently served in the Diocese of Vermont, his ministry in The Episcopal Church began in the Diocese of South Carolina and he is grateful to return to where he has spent much of his life.

Bishop Woodliff-Stanley is thankful for the experience Father Rob brings to Epiphany, Summerville, where the Rev. Len Williams has served the congregation faithfully for a number of years. “I am so grateful for the gracious and seasoned leadership of Father Rob and look forward to the continued growth and vitality of Epiphany as he and the congregation build upon the good work done during Father Len’s strong tenure,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley.

Following graduation from the College of Charleston in 1978, Father Rob began his career in education, as a teacher and later as assistant principal, while remaining deeply involved in lay ministry at Trinity, Pinopolis. After discerning a call to the priesthood, he earned a Master of Divinity from Trinity Episcopal Seminary and was ordained a priest in the Diocese of South Carolina in 1992. In his first call, he served for 10 years as rector of St. John’s, Oakland in West Ashley (Charleston). In 2005, he was called to the Diocese of East Carolina to serve two congregations while simultaneously working as principal of two public high schools in eastern North Carolina. He continued as a bi-vocational priest for nine years before answering a call to serve as full-time priest-in-charge of Church of the Advent in Williamston, NC.

In 2015, Father Rob was called as rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Swanton, Vermont, where he served for eight years before retiring from full-time ministry and returning to South Carolina in March 2023. Not long after his return, he soon became active in the Diocese of South Carolina again, serving as supply priest for a number of congregations over the past year. Father Rob is joyfully looking forward to serving part-time at Epiphany, Summerville. “Epiphany is a wonderful, historic parish with an energetic and lively congregation located in the heart of beautiful, historic downtown Summerville,” said Fr. Rob. “Building upon the great things of the past, I trust we will continue to see marvelous things together in the future.”

Though he was born in North Carolina, Father Rob has lived most of his life in South Carolina, first moving to Edisto Island while in elementary school. He was confirmed in The Episcopal Church in 1981 at St. George’s, Summerville. Throughout his ministry, Father Rob has been active in diocesan service as well, including as President of the Standing Committee and a member of the Diocesan Council in the Diocese of South Carolina, as well as a variety of diocesan roles in the Diocese of East Carolina, and the Diocese of Vermont. In addition, he has served The Episcopal Church at several General Conventions.

Father Rob is the proud father of his daughters, Cantey—who followed in her father’s footsteps as a teacher—and Avery (who unexpectedly died in 2016 and is interred at Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston), and five grandchildren. He lives in Goose Creek and joyfully spends time with his daughter and grandchildren whenever he is able.
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About Epiphany, Summerville
Epiphany Church of Summerville was founded in the 1880s and built in 1887 on land donated by Catherine Springs, a free person of color who operated a thriving business on King Street in downtown Charleston before opening a hat and dress shop in Summerville. In addition to donating money and land to Epiphany Church, she also donated the same to build the Banks School, which provided the first public education for Black children in Summerville. It was operated by Epiphany Episcopal Church, which was then a mission of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Summerville.

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