The Rev. Robert Shearer will retire as priest-in-charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Englewood, New Jersey, on Sunday, Jan. 26.

Shearer came to St. Paul’s in the summer of 2009. During his time at St. Paul’s, the church has seen growth in membership and in outreach programs. St. Paul’s has expanded its outreach to the community through the founding of a new choir school as well as other feeding programs, including a Thanksgiving Dinner for the entire community. In addition, the church will soon be on the register of historic places just in time for its 150th anniversary in 2015.

Shearer was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1960. After graduation from General Seminary in New York and ordination in Dallas, he served in a variety of positions in the Episcopal Church: rector, interim rector, assistant rector, curate, seminary teaching fellow. He’s also explored the business world as a consultant, reorganizing a diocesan staff, revitalizing a statewide annual fund appeal for social services. He has served as interim rector at a number of New Jersey parishes, including Christ Church in New Brunswick and St Peter’s in Morristown.