Adapted from an announcement by St. Paul’s Church, K Street:
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, K Street, has called the Rev. Richard David Wall to be its tenth rector. The call of Fr. Wall follows an 18-month discernment process and national search.
A naturalized citizen of the United States, Fr. Wall was born in South Staffordshire, England. He completed his undergraduate and seminary work at Oxford, studying at Christ Church and St. Stephen’s House, respectively. He was sponsored for ordination by the Diocese of Liverpool and ordained at Chelmsford Cathedral in 2002.
Fr. Wall served as a curate in Essex, England, for almost three years. In 2005, he moved to the United States to serve as curate at St. Clement’s, Philadelphia. He was was elected rector of St. Andrew’s, State College, in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, in 2009.
“I believe the primary purpose of any church is twofold: proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and serving the poor,” Fr. Wall said. “I look forward to being with you, sharing in this ministry of proclamation and service, and finding a new home among the people of St. Paul’s.”
Located in Foggy Bottom, near George Washington University and the State Department, and within walking distance of the Kennedy Center and the White House, St. Paul’s is a diverse congregation whose members live across the entire Washington metropolitan area.
“Fr. Wall’s successful outreach to a university community, his desire to nurture St. Paul’s rich liturgical and sacred music tradition, and his commitment to serving the poor very much impressed our vestry,” said R. Allen Payne, senior warden. “He really ‘gets’ what it takes to lead and minister to a vibrant and diverse parish in heart of the nation’s capital.”