Alphonza Gadsden

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The Right Reverend

Alphonza Gadsden Sr.
Bishop of the Southeast
Church Anglican Church in North America
Reformed Episcopal Church
Diocese REC Southeast
In office2007–2020
PredecessorJames C. West
Successor William White
Orders
ConsecrationNovember 11, 2007
by  Leonard W. Riches
Personal details
Born1945 (age 77–78)
Russellville, South Carolina

Alphonza Gadsden Sr. (born 1945) is an American Anglican bishop. From 2007 to 2020, he was bishop ordinary of the Reformed Episcopal Church's Diocese of the Southeast.

Biography

Gadsden was born to Silas and Leola Gadsden in Russellville, South Carolina, [1] and grew up in St. Stephen in the Reformed Episcopal Church. [2] He graduated from Russellville High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and reached the rank of sergeant. [2] Gadsden received his undergraduate degree from Limestone University, his M.Div. from Cummins Theological Seminary, [1] and did doctoral work at Erskine Theological Seminary, and was awarded the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa from the Theological Commission of the Reformed Episcopal Church. He is married to Hester Brown Gadsden. [2]

After his ordination, Gadsden served as vicar and rector of Liberty Reformed Episcopal Church in Jamestown, South Carolina. He later served as president of the Diocese of the Southeast's standing committee. While serving in ordained ministry, Gadsden had a 39-year career in the United States Postal Service and was the first black postmaster in Kingstree, South Carolina. [2]

After the death of Bishop James C. West, Gadsden was elected bishop ordinary of the Diocese of the Southeast [2] and consecrated by Leonard W. Riches on November 17, 2007. [3] During his episcopacy, the diocese added eight clergy members, refurbished its properties, eliminated debts and added two additional parishes. [2] In 2015, Gadsden hosted an Anglican Church in North America dialogue on racial reconciliation in the predominantly black Diocese of the Southeast. [4] In 2020, Gadsden retired and was succeeded by William White as bishop ordinary. [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Pineville, a historic refuge". Columbia Star. January 4, 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Clyburn, James (December 8, 2021). "TRIBUTE TO THE RT. REV. DR. ALPHONZA AND MRS. HESTER GADSDEN" (PDF). Congressional Record: E1343. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "Consecrations of Bishops" (PDF). Journal of the Proceedings of the Fifty-Fifth General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church: 209. 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "ACNA conversation on race and America". Anglican Ink. April 28, 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "Meet Our Bishop". Diocese of the Southeast. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
Anglican Communion titles
Preceded by
James C. West
 VII REC Bishop of the Southeast
2007–2020		Next:
William White
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