In the Matter of the Rev. Jonathan Adams and Trinity Church Upperville
What was the nature of the Title IV matter?
In September 2025, the Diocese of Virginia received allegations regarding inappropriate behavior by the Rev. Jonathan Adams, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, including possible misconduct with children. As required by the canons of The Episcopal Church, a Title IV reference panel was convened to consider the allegations. Subsequently, the reference panel referred the matter to an independent investigator.
Given the nature of the allegations, Bishop Stevenson placed the Rev. Adams on Administrative Leave in accordance with the Canons of The Episcopal Church and, as required by law and policies of The Episcopal Church, notified both the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department and the Fauquier County Department of Social Services so that they might investigate as well.
In October, Bishop Stevenson led a principal Sunday service at Trinity Church and met with the congregation afterwards. During that meeting, within the confines of appropriate confidentiality, he reported on the situation with their Rector and the investigations that were underway.
What was the resolution of the various investigations?
The Sheriff’s Department’s investigation concluded that there were no violations of law on the part of the Rev. Adams. The Fauquier County Department of Social Services concluded that there was no action necessary for them to take.
However, the Diocese of Virginia’s investigation concluded that there were actions by the Rev. Adams that were inappropriate for a member of the clergy. After considering all available information, the bishop specified in an Accord a number of provisions that would reinforce the faithful exercise of the Rev. Adams’s ministry in accordance with applicable provisions of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church and the vows of his vocation. Under the terms of the Accord the Rev. Adams was then allowed to return to work at Trinity Church in November 2025. This also marked the conclusion of the Title IV proceedings.
In July 2026, the Rev. Adams announced he was taking a three-month sabbatical, as his Letter of Agreement with Trinity Church allows. Soon after, the Rev. Adams notified his congregation that he will resign as Rector effective at the end of his sabbatical in October.
What happens next?
From the time the first allegations were received, the Rt. Rev’d E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of Virginia, has been in close communication with the Wardens of Trinity Church to ensure the wellbeing of the congregation. Bishop Stevenson takes seriously his obligation to protect children from any form of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. When we welcome them into our sacred spaces, it is with the understanding that they deserve to be safe from harm. The Diocese has and will continue to uphold our shared duty to ensure our parishes and communities are free from abuse.
Bishop Stevenson has also been in regular communication with the Rev. Jason Eslicker, Trinity’s Associate Rector, to provide pastoral support. Bishop Stevenson and other leaders within the Diocese of Virginia and beyond will continue to work closely with clergy and lay leadership as they support the congregation and its healing moving forward.
Receive Pastoral Support
Any individuals seeking additional pastoral support may reach out to the Rev. Canon Sarah Kye Price, Canon for Vocations and Clergy Wellness, at sprice@episcopalvirginia.org or 804-643-8451 ext. 1015.
Documents of Note
The Rev. Adams’ Resignation Letter
Dear Trinity Family,
It is with profound sadness that I write to tell you that I have decided to resign as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church.
This has been the most difficult decision of my ministry. It has come only after much prayer, careful counsel, and many long conversations with my family. While I had hoped to continue serving this parish, the past many months have taken a profound toll on my family and on me. I believe stepping aside is the right decision for my family and for Trinity.
Thank you for allowing me to share your lives. It has been an honor to stand with you at the font, the altar, beside hospital beds, at gravesides, and in this pulpit proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those moments have shaped me as deeply as I hope my ministry has served you.
I leave with a heart that is both broken and grateful. Broken by the way these events have touched my family, my vocation, and this parish. Grateful for the countless acts of kindness, encouragement, and quiet faithfulness that have sustained us through them.
Although this chapter ends differently than I ever imagined, my faith in Christ and my hope for His Church remain unchanged.
I have always believed that the Church belongs to Christ, not to any one priest. He will remain faithful to Trinity, as He always has. I commend Trinity to His care with confidence and with love.
I leave you with the words of St. Paul:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38–39
Thank you for the privilege of serving among you.
May God bless you and keep you.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Jonathan Adams
Bishop Stevenson’s Letter to the Diocesan Clergy
July 17, 2026
Dear Siblings in Christ –
As some of you know, or would otherwise soon learn without this letter, the Rev’d Jonathan Adams announced yesterday that at the conclusion of his current sabbatical – October 12, 2026 – he will be resigning as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville. This is a sad and difficult time for the faith community that is Trinity Church, and for Jonathan and his family. I write to you today because this resignation comes after several months of turmoil, anxiety, and hurt, and I want to clear up as much confusion as I can regarding these things.
You will remember that last November you received a canonically required notice that an Accord had been reached between Jonathan and me; an Accord that brought to a close a Title IV process in which he was the Respondent. That process began when my office received allegations against him and continued as the canons of The Episcopal Church required. An intake report was generated, the reference panel met and considered it, a diocesan investigator was appointed and set to work, and – because the allegations grew to include possible misconduct with children – I placed Jonathan on Administrative Leave and notified both the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department and the Fauquier County Department of Social Services so that they might investigate as well.
Let me pause here and say a word about the importance of safeguarding the lives of children and young people. As Bishop of Virginia, my obligation to protect children from any form of emotional, physical or sexual abuse is absolutely paramount. When we welcome them into our sacred spaces, it is with the understanding that they deserve to be safe from harm. Every diocese is required to adopt and enforce policies that meet or exceed the national Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth. And every church leader and employee has a moral duty and legal mandate to report any known or suspected child abuse to both law enforcement and appropriate church leaders. Each of us has a duty to ensure our parishes and communities are free from abuse. Each of us carry a sacred trust, and I take no charge more seriously in my ministry than that.
The Sheriff’s Department’s investigation concluded that there were no violations of law on the part of Jonathan Adams. The Fauquier County Department of Social Services concluded that there was no action necessary for them to take. The Diocese of Virginia’s investigation concluded that there were actions by Jonathan that were inappropriate for a member of the clergy, and specific directions for him in the future were outlined in the Accord. Under those terms, Jonathan was then allowed to return to work at Trinity Church.
Since that time, however, the anxiety and pain at and around Trinity Church have continued in various forms. Unfortunately, some of this has been driven by bloggers and social media posts. But some of it is the natural result of people feeling as though they are not being heard, or that the result of the process is not what they had hoped, or that a friend has been held up to public scrutiny in an unfair manner. In these cases, it is important for us all to realize that such motivations often come from places of deep care, and love, and a desire for what is right. For these reasons, it is so very important for us to pray for the peace, reconciliation, and justice that can only come from God.
Jonathan has decided that it is in the best interest of his family and of Trinity Church to resign as Rector. I ask your prayers that God will indeed grant that which only can come from the Holy One who breathes life into existence.
May our Lord Jesus, who rose victorious from the grave, bring new life to us all.
Yours in Christ,
+Mark