23rd Rector of St. Mark's
The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Shaffer
Fr. Michael spent nearly 30 years in the courtroom before leaving the law for the priesthood. He came to St. Mark's in 2023 and was called as our rector in 2025.
Read his welcome message
- At St. Mark's
- Interim Rector from 2023, called as Rector on May 25, 2025
- Ordained
- Deacon in 2000, later priest
- In the diocese
- Dean of the Charleston Peninsula Deanery and an elected member of the Standing Committee
- Education
- Southern Methodist University; J.D., University of Missouri at Kansas City; Bishop Kemper School of Ministry
At St. Mark's
Fr. Michael first came to St. Mark's as Interim Rector in 2023. The parish called him as Rector on May 25, 2025, and he was inducted by the Bishop of South Carolina on September 6, 2025.
He also serves the wider church. He is an elected member of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, and in 2022 Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley appointed him Dean of the Charleston Peninsula Deanery.
Nearly 30 years in the courtroom
Michael earned his bachelor's degree at Southern Methodist University and his law degree at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. After law school he spent five years as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Jackson County, Missouri.
He then started his own firm, where for almost 30 years he represented healthcare professionals in medical negligence cases. Over his legal career he tried more than 200 cases to a jury verdict.
A call to the altar
While still practicing law, Michael was ordained a vocational deacon in 2000 in the Diocese of West Missouri. Over time he felt drawn to what he calls "a more sacramental ministry." He left the law and studied at the Bishop Kemper School of Ministry, which is supported by the Episcopal dioceses of Kansas, Nebraska, West Missouri and Western Kansas.
After he was ordained a priest, he served in the Diocese of Olympia in western Washington. In 2018 he came to Charleston as priest-in-charge of St. Francis Episcopal Church. Since then he has also served as Interim Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church and Interim Associate Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the two parishes that walk with St. Mark's in Three Churches United.
What guides him
Since the day he was ordained a priest, Michael has kept two sayings from former Archbishops of Canterbury close.
"May it one day be said of you, not necessarily that you talked about God cleverly, but that you made God real to people."
"The priest has to be free to be a lookout, an interpreter, and what I can best call a weaver."
Michael and Erin
Michael says he feels blessed to serve the people of St. Mark's. He and his wife, Erin, have long been committed to equity and justice, and to supporting organizations and events that open equal opportunities to everyone, whatever their race, creed, color, ethnicity, nationality or sexual orientation.
Erin and Michael live in downtown Charleston.
Come and see for yourself
We gather every Sunday at 10:00 AM at 16 Thomas St.
Plan your visit