Daniel Richards (bishop)

Daniel Paul Richards is an American Episcopalian prelate. He has served as the ninth bishop of Upper South Carolina since 2022.

The Right Reverend Daniel P. Richards
IX Bishop of Upper South Carolina
Church	Episcopal Church
Diocese	Upper South Carolina
Elected	September 25, 2021
Previous post(s)	Rector, Christ Church of the Ascension, Paradise Valley
Orders
Ordination	May 25, 2003 (deacon) by Robert Shahan December 3, 2003 (priest) by Robert Shahan[1]
Consecration	February 26, 2022 by Michael Curry, Jennifer A. Reddall, Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, W. Andrew Waldo
Personal details
Born	Cleveland, Mississippi
Nationality	American
Denomination	Anglican
Alma mater	Grand Canyon University, (B.A) Church Divinity School of the Pacific, (M.Div)

Ordination history of Daniel Richards
History Diaconal ordination Ordained by Robert Shahan Date May 25, 2003 Priestly ordination Ordained by Robert Shahan Date December 3, 2003 Episcopal consecration Principal consecrator Michael Curry Co-consecrators Jennifer A. Reddall, Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, W. Andrew Waldo Date February 26, 2022 Place Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Columbia, SC

Early life and education

Richards was born in Cleveland, Mississippi, and spent his early years in Mississippi and Tennessee before relocating to Phoenix, Arizona, during high school. He graduated summa cum laude from Grand Canyon University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts in Worship: Speech and Performance, a ministry degree. Originally ordained as a Southern Baptist minister in 1996, he later joined the Episcopal Church in 1997 and pursued theological education at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, earning his degree in 2003.^[2]

Ordained ministry

Richards was ordained to the diaconate on May 25, 2003, and to the priesthood on December 3, 2003. His early ministry included serving as curate at Saint Michael and All Angels in Tucson, Arizona, followed by four years at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Phoenix. During this time, he was active in diocesan ministry, including service on the Commission on Ministry and as a spiritual director at Chapel Rock Camp and Conference Center.^[2]

In 2009, Richards became rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City, Michigan, where he also served as the dean of the Grand Traverse Deanery from 2010 to 2015. His work there included participation in local ecumenical initiatives and outreach programs.^[2]

He returned to Arizona in 2015 to serve as rector of Christ Church of the Ascension in Paradise Valley. During this period, he also led the East Phoenix Deanery and was president of the board of Chapel Rock Camp and Conference Center. Additionally, he volunteered as a chaplain for the Phoenix Fire Department from 2018 to 2021.^[2]

Episcopacy

See also: List of bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America

On September 25, 2021, Richards was elected as the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina.^[3] He was consecrated by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, along with bishops Jennifer A. Reddall, Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, and W. Andrew Waldo.^[4]