History made Saturday when Mississippi Episcopal Diocese installs first Black woman as leader

Episcopalians in the Magnolia State and across the globe celebrated a historic moment Saturday when the Mississippi Diocese of the Episcopal Church ordained the Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells as the first woman and first Black bishop for the group’s 17,600 members in 87 congregations.

The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, presided over her ordination and consecration on the campus of St. Andrew’s School in Jackson.

Wells succeeds former Bishop Brian Seage, elected in 2014 and served until his retirement in 2024.

Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Wells studied vocal performance at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned a law degree from the University of Memphis and practiced law for 18 years before becoming a priest. She holds a master of divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry degree from Emory University.

Previously, Wells served as rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown, Tennessee, and as chaplain of the church’s preschool since 2013.

Below are images from Saturday’s historic service in Jackson.