The sixth rector search committee is thrilled to present the Rev. Dr. Leigh Spruill as the next rector of St. John the Divine. In our view, Leigh is a perfect match for SJD, and SJD is a perfect match for Leigh.
It is with great joy that we announce that the Rev. Dr. Leigh Spruill has accepted the call to be the sixth rector of The Church of St. John the Divine. The search committee, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has been led to a priest who is equipped with the gifts outlined in our Parish Profile. The grace of God was evident in many ways throughout our search, but most powerfully in that Leigh was the unanimous choice of the search committee and his call was made through a unanimous vote of the vestry.
Leigh joins us from St. George’s Episcopal Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has been rector since 2005. Prior to that, he served as rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal in Jacksonville, Florida, and as associate and assistant rector at parishes in Birmingham, Alabama and Richmond, Virginia. He is a native of Virginia and a graduate of the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee). He is married to Susalee Cain Spruill, and they have three adult children. Susalee is active in ministry as well, and serves as St. George’s pastoral care coordinator.
Bishop Doyle has expressed his excitement over Leigh’s call here saying, “Leigh will bring a tremendous amount of gifts and joy and hope and leadership to your congregation. I give thanks for his ministry and willingness to come to Texas and join our family here because as you and I well know, Texas is a good place and St. John's is a fantastic church."
In God’s perfect timing, we are grateful that the Holy Spirit has now brought Leigh and Susalee to St. John the Divine and we most joyfully welcome them to Houston! We look forward to getting to know them when they begin their ministry at SJD January 16, 2021. If you would like to send well wishes to Leigh and Susalee, please email rector@sjd.org. Your messages will be collected and passed on.