Join a faith tradition rooted in God’s unconditional love, and a collection of people who celebrate our differences instead of letting them separate us. We follow Jesus, and with him as our example, we strive to love one another, stand up for the marginalized, and welcome the stranger.
No matter who you are, we invite you to be part of one of our 87 faith communities and six college ministries across Alabama.
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To proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.
He was ordained bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania in 2007 after serving as rector of St. John’s in Franklin, Pennsylvania, for seven years. From 2014 to 2018, he served as bishop provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, and from 2019 to 2024, he led a partnership between the Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York.
Rowe holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Grove City College, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in organizational learning and leadership from Gannon University. He has served as a leader of many civic and churchwide organizations and governance bodies, and as parliamentarian for the House of Bishops.
Bishop of the Diocese of Alabama
The Right Reverend Richard T. Lawson III was consecrated bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama on June 27, 2026, at the Cathedral Church of the Advent by the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.
Lawson received his M.Div. from General Seminary and later an S.T.M. from the University of the South (Sewanee). In 2001, he was ordained a deacon at Epiphany in Guntersville by Bishop Onell Soto and later that year was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral Church of the Advent by Bishop Henry Parsley. He began his ordained ministry as curate and later as rector at St. John’s in Decatur, a thriving parish where he gained extensive experience in pastoral care. He then served as rector of Grace-St. Luke’s Church and School in Memphis, where the parish flourished and experienced healing under his leadership.
Before his election as bishop, Lawson served as the Dean of St. John’s Cathedral in Denver, a dynamic and growing congregation and the cathedral for the Diocese of Colorado. He is married to Katherine, and they have two adult children.
To schedule an appointment with Bishop Lawson, please email Ashley Haynes or call 205-358-922
Our Bishop and Staff
