Willie Hill (bishop) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Willie J. Hill Jr. |
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|---|---|
| Bishop Ordinary of the Southeast | |
| Church | Anglican Church in North America Reformed Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | REC Southeast |
| In Office | 2022–present |
| Predecessor | William White |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1982 (diaconate) 1984 (priesthood) |
| Consecration | 2022 by Foley Beach |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1951 (age 73–74) Moncks Corner, South Carolina |
Willie James Hill Jr. (born in 1951) is an American Anglican bishop. He currently leads the Reformed Episcopal Church's Diocese of the Southeast. He is also the main pastor, called a rector, at St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Meet Bishop Willie J. Hill Jr.
His Early Life and Learning
Willie J. Hill Jr. was born in Moncks Corner. His parents were Willie J. Hill Sr. and Gladys Hill. He grew up in the Reformed Episcopal Church. In 1974, he married Gale. They have three adult children and six grandchildren.
Bishop Hill studied at Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia. A seminary is a special school where people learn to become church leaders. He also earned degrees from Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary in Summerville, South Carolina, in 1981. Later, he studied at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania.
Starting His Church Work
Bishop Hill began his church work in 1982 in the Reformed Episcopal Church. He served as a pastor in churches in both Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
In 2013, he became the main pastor (rector) of St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church. He started new programs to help the local Ansonborough community. He believed that churches need new ideas to grow. He invited college gospel choirs to sing at St. John's. He also added a midday Bible study for older members. This helped those who found it hard to travel at night.
Becoming a Bishop
On February 28, 2022, Bishop Hill was chosen to become a bishop. He was elected as a "bishop co-adjutor." This means he would work alongside the current bishop, William White. He would then take over when Bishop White retired.
The Anglican Church in North America College of Bishops approved his election on June 13, 2022. He officially became a bishop on August 13, 2022. This special ceremony, called a consecration, took place at Grace Reformed Episcopal Church in Moncks Corner. Archbishop Foley Beach led the ceremony. In September 2022, Bishop White retired. Bishop Hill then became the "bishop ordinary" for the diocese.
