Story
Church of the Epiphany began in the summer of 1985 when Truro Church in Fairfax began planning to establish a mission church in Western Fairfax County. Later that year, about 15 people from Truro began meeting weekly for prayer and Bible study in anticipation of being sent out as a mission church.
The first Service of Holy Communion was held in Franklin Intermediate School in February of 1986. The Reverend B. Clifton Reardon, affectionately known as “Father Bill,” was appointed vicar, the title used for a priest in charge of a mission church.
Ground breaking for Epiphany’s first building on the corner of Franklin Farm Road and Fairfax County Parkway, took place in March of 1988, with the first service held in the new building in February 1989. Just three years after Epiphany was established, Fr. Bill was instituted as Rector (pastor of a self-sustaining parish).
In June 1995, Fr. Bill took a sabbatical and retired in December 1995, beginning an interim period at Epiphany.
In June of 1997, the Rev. Robin Rauh was called as Rector. Soon after, the Rev. Luke Lucas was called as Associate Rector. Luke served at Epiphany until January of 2010.
In January of 2011, the Rev. Peter Frank came on staff as the Senior Associate Rector.
Though originally founded as an church affiliated with The Episcopal Church, growing differences in theology and focus during the first decade of the 21st Century led Epiphany to the difficult decision to leave that denomination, re-affiliate with The Anglican Church in North America and in 2012, walk away from our original property in Franklin Farm.
Through God’s clear blessing, we quickly were able to secure a new place of worship and ministry at 13515 Dulles Technology Drive, and with the hard work of our congregation, refurbish it and prepare it to serve us for the years ahead during the summer of 2012.
In October 2012, the Rev. Michael Guernsey joined Epiphany’s staff as our associate minister for discipleship.
In April of 2014, Fr. Robin announced his decision to retire from parish ministry. After a discernment and interview process over the summer, the vestry called the Rev. Peter Frank, Epiphany’s senior associate rector since January of 2011, to serve as Epiphany’s third rector. Fr. Peter began his ministry on Sept. 1, 2014.
In September of 2015, Fr. Michael accepted a call as rector of Christ Church in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. In May of 2016, Epiphany called the Rev. Pamela Meeks to serve as Epiphany’s next associate rector.
During the spring of 2017, after much prayer and discernment, Epiphany made the decision to begin a move to our long-term home at 3863 Centerview Drive in Chantilly. On March 11, 2018, we joyfully held our first Sunday morning service at our new facility.
God continues to bless and use Epiphany for His purposes. We are excited to see what the future holds!
