IN MEMORIAM: Peter Spencer ‘65

The Rev. Canon Peter LeValley Spencer, Class of 1965, died on Thursday, April 7, after a long illness, aged 83. For 31 years Spencer served as rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wickford, RI, leading that historic parish through a period of tremendous growth.

Spencer was the second-longest-serving rector in St. Paul’s 316-year history. For three decades, he led the parish as “shepherd, fisherman, sometime tax collector, but usually nursery man,” as he remarked to the vestry and parish in 2001. He described his ministry as “tending the tree of St. Paul’s,” which “became strong and broad and beautiful” and “unique among all Episcopal Churches south of Boston and east of Hartford.” He originally joined St. Paul’s as curate in 1967 at the invitation of then rector Rev. Canon Frederick Belden. In 1971, he was called to be rector after Canon Belden was elevated to Bishop of Rhode Island. Previously, Spencer had served as curate at St. Paul’s in Pawtucket after completing his studies at General.

The second oldest Episcopal parish in the state, St. Paul’s began a resurgence under Canon Belden, and this growth continued under Spencer, who cultivated his organizational skills as an officer in the United States Navy. Membership in the parish doubled by 2001.

Above all, Spencer strove to build a “community that is not dependent on clergy.” This allowed him more time to focus on the quality of pastoral care, and to support a range of local, vibrant ministries dedicated to helping people in need in the community. “Always the deeds are done quietly and without fanfare,” The Standard Times reported in 2001. His emphasis on outreach and accompaniment left an indelible impression on the parish and remains a hallmark of St. Paul’s to this day.

Spencer said he always tried to adhere to the original vision of St. Paul’s: to serve as a source of renewal for people who then go out into the community. That vision extended across denominational lines to local Roman Catholic, Baptist, and other churches in pursuit of an outward-focused culture committed to meeting the needs of others.

Asked once how he wanted to be remembered, Spencer said, "I think helping people realize what they have to do to be an authentic Christian—to be compassionate and honest."

Peter LeValley Spencer was born in 1938 and grew up in West Warwick, Rhode Island, not far from the LeValley family homestead (circa 1722) on Phenix Hill. He was proud of his deep Rhode Island roots via both the Spencer and LeValley lineages. He attended Classical High School in Providence (class of 1956) and went on to Brown University (class of 1960) to study chemistry and religious studies. While at Brown he joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and served two years in active duty before entering General, where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1965.