St. Mark’s, San Antonio Hosts Investiture of the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas will confer Bishop Coadjutor, The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, as its 11th bishop at an Evensong and Investiture service on Friday, December 1, 6:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, San Antonio. The ceremony is open for all to attend and will also be live streamed.

The current Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed, will retire at the end of December. The Investiture commemorates the transition of roles with the Bishop Coadjutor ceremonially receiving the diocesan crozier from the outgoing Bishop Diocesan, as a sign of the transfer of authority. The diocesan crozier, a shepherd’s staff carried by the sitting Bishop, is a symbol of pastoral office.

Bishop Coadjutor Read will assume leadership as the new Bishop Diocesan on January 1, 2024, a year that also marks a major milestone with the 150th anniversary of the Diocese.

“As I hand over the crozier, I give thanks for the countless blessings I’ve received in this ministry, and for the clergy and people in our congregations whose hope and faith have increased my own,” said Bishop Reed. “David has been a friend and colleague in ministry for many years. I rejoice and give thanks for his service and for accepting the call to lead the Diocese in carrying out the work God is asking us to do.”

Ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in 1992, Bishop Coadjutor Read has served as Rector at multiple diocesan parishes including St. Paul’s Church in Brady, St. Francis Church in Victoria, St. Luke’s Church & School in San Antonio and most recently at St. Helena’s in Boerne, until his election as bishop coadjutor in February of this year.

"The Investiture is a sacred and joyous ceremony”, said Bishop Coadjutor Read. “Bishop Reed and I have worked closely together for many years, and I look forward to building on the life-changing work he has established. Assuming leadership in the year of our 150th anniversary is extremely meaningful. The love and support of clergy, staff and parishioners in this transition lifts me as we embark together to do the work God has given us to do in this diocese and beyond.”

Bishop Coadjutor Read holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas State University in San Marcos, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA and a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development from Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago. He and wife Jacqueline have two children, Amy and Aidan, and three grandchildren, Kaydence, Makenna, and Jameson David.

About the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas (DWTX) is a community of 26,000+ persons gathered in 87 congregations spread across 60 counties in Texas and is a part of The Episcopal Church, a community of 2.4 million members in America and abroad. The current Bishop, The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed, oversees DWTX and is supported by Bishop Coadjutor, The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read. Learn more about DWTX.