The Rev. Dr. John F. Beddingfield

John has been rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Manhattan, since 2015. Before that, he served churches in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. He chairs the board of the Holy Trinity Neighborhood Center, Inc., serves as chaplain to the Community of St. John Baptist (the Episcopal nuns in New Jersey), a member of the Third Order Society of St. Francis, and is active in the Diocese of New York, and the wider community.

After studying economics and religious studies as an undergraduate at UNC-Chapel Hill, he also completed degrees at Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.), General Theological Seminary (S.T.M.) and Virginia Theological Seminary (D.Min.).

From an early age, John has felt drawn towards an almost Medieval spirituality and has followed the footsteps of saints and holy people in the United States, England, Mexico, and Spain. So far, among the official routes of the Camino de Santiago, he has walked the Camino Francés (from Sarria), the Camino Inglés from Ferrol, the Camino Sanibrés from Ourense, and will lead a Camino Francés (final 100k) in 2025. God willing, he will make many more in the years ahead. In his spare time, he continues to study Spanish.

John feels like the Camino informs his ministry and helps him be a better spiritual companion with others, whether they explicitly follow a religious path or are simply moving along and enjoying the scenery. A passionate supporter of the Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago, he believes that the Church can gain much from the Camino experience, as we follow Christ in walking alongside, offering hospitality, and supporting one another on the way.