Daniel Richards

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

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.

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. He was consecrated by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, along with bishops Jennifer A. Reddall, Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, and W. Andrew Waldo.