Our last Vicar, Our first Rector,
The Rev. Canon William F. Murphey has the unique distinction of being the last Vicar of the mission of St. Andrew’s and the first Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Father Murphey came to St. Andrew’s in 1984 to continue the work of Father Ron Lynch of building up the mission. Father Murphey worked tirelessly for the next eight years, when St. Andrew’s gained parish status in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Then served as Rector until his retirement in 1998. Father Murphey served St. Andrew’s a total of fourteen years.
Bill Murphey is a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lehigh University and the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He was ordained to the priest-hood at Trinity Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1957. Prior to coming to Shippensburg in 1984 Rev. Murphey served churches in Bethlehem, Catasaqua, Hanover, Wellsboro and Harrisburg.
For many years Father Murphey served as coordinator of youth activities in the Diocese. He also served on the standing committee and other organization of the Diocese. In 1991 he was made an Honorary Canon of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in recognition of his leadership and service to the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.
While living in Shippensburg he was a member of the board of directors of the Episcopal Home and the Episcopal Square and a member and past president of the Shippensburg Area Ministerial. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Shippensburg Foundation Summer Music Festival, a member of the Cumberland Valley Torch Club and the Shippensburg Rotary Club.
In 1997 Father Murphey and the members of the Vestry at the time saw the need to increase the size of the parish life center to make room for more classrooms, offices and activities. A Building to Serve Campaign, spearheaded by Father Murphey, Bob Rose, Walter Pledger, John Gregor and Wells Shoemaker raised $300,000 for the construction. Father Murphey retired before the construction was finished, he did get to watch the progress from his home right next door. Then on November 29, 1998 he was asked to return with Rev. Lynch, Rev. William Neal of Chambersburg and Rev. Roy Turner, the interim rector for the dedication of the new section of the Parish Life Center. A plaque was unveiled in the second floor hallway honoring Father Murphey for his service and dedication to the church.
Father Murphey was and still is a fun loving man of faith. Never without a smile on his face and a willingness to listen to a good joke. He is the type of person that makes everyone happy just being in his presence. In many ways St. Andrew’s is the place it is due to the Rev. Canon William F. Murphey being our first Rector.