The Journey Begins

In the summer of 1985, Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax Virginia entered into a discussion with the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia about establishing a mission in the Western part of Fairfax County. Before the end of the year, about fifteen people from Truro Episcopal Church began a process of discerning, through weekly meetings for prayer and Bible study, the establishment of that mission. By February 1986 it was decided to establish this mission and the first Eucharist was held in Franklin Intermediate School. The Reverend B. Clifton Reardon, affectionately known as ‘Father Bill,’ was appointed vicar. After the first year, the Church of the Epiphany Episcopal was granted parish status and ground breaking for the church building took place in March 1988; our first service was held in the building in February 1989.

In the ensuing years our church grew – increasing attendance, establishing a vibrant Sunday School, and establishing an extensive outreach program. After many years as Rector, Fr. Bill took a sabbatical in June 1995 and then retired in December of that year. During the interim between rectors we were blessed by the ministry of The Reverend Churchill Gibson until June of 1997, when the Rev. Robin Rauh was called as Rector. Soon after, the Rev. Luke Lucas became Associate Rector. The need for more classroom space and an outreach kitchen to feed the poor became apparent in 2000 as well as the need for a youth center, a 24-hour prayer chapel, and new worship space. So we began a campaign to raise new funds for an addition. The campaign, titled ‘Building on Christ’s Cornerstone,’ culminated with the dedication of the addition in 2006.

Beginning with the rectorship of Fr. Rauh the parish began to experience a time of change in which the teachings of the Episcopal Church were challenged.  Over the course of several years, questions of continuing within the Protestant Episcopal Church arose. These questions culminated in the decision by those who no longer felt they could support the teachings of the Church to leave the Episcopal Church and align themselves as a Mission of the Diocese of Nigeria and Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). The majority of the congregation members voted officially to disassociate themselves from the Episcopal Church. Those who chose to remain Episcopalians found themselves in a difficult position as they no longer had a place to worship or meet.

After experiencing a time of deep disappointment, wandering members of The Church of the Epiphany who wanted to remain in the Episcopal Church gathered and decided it was time to move forward. During the ongoing legal dispute over habitation of the church building, we reconstituted our church in 2007 and worshiped in rented space in Oak Hill Elementary School from 2007 through 2012. With the legal dispute settled in January 2012, members of the continuing congregation were energized at the prospect of returning to our church building.

Our first return Sunday worship service was held in the Epiphany Church building on May 6, 2012. Delighted by the return, immediately our attendance grew and has continued to grow steadily over the years. While continuing to be legally registered as Church of the Epiphany Episcopal, we made a decision to be known and to serve God as “Epiphany Episcopal Church” or simply “Epiphany.” Informally, we call ourselves “The Church on the Corner” because we are located at the corner of Franklin Farm Road and Hidden Meadow Drive, as well as off Fairfax County Parkway.

The Episcopal congregation has reinforced ministry partnerships with Epiphany Preschool and Boy Scout Troop 1257, which provide a vital presence in the community. Epiphany is also home to neighborhood groups, girl scout troops, the Boyle School of Irish Dance, New Hope Baptist Congregation, and Northern Virginia Church of Christ Youth and Family Ministries. As we serve, grow and build, we welcome opportunities to embrace new initiatives.

“Our story has formed us to be a resilient, caring community, well equipped to move forward as Epiphany Episcopal Church. As God calls us to be the church on the corner where God loves us all, no exceptions, we invite all to join us in our journey and give thanks for the many blessings God continues to bestow upon us as Epiphany.” – Rev. Hillary T. West (Rector)

Epiphany Episcopal Church
Clergy History 1986 to Present