Bishop Patricia Ann Curtis Davenport

The Rev. Patricia Ann Curtis Davenport assumed office as bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Aug. 1, 2018.

Overwhelmingly elected by the synod assembly on May 5, 2018, she is the first African American woman to be elected a bishop in the 3.8-million-member ELCA. She was recently elected vice chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops.

Bishop Davenport is leading the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod in making disciples through information, education and inspiration that leads to transformation. She believes this is the way the synod makes a difference in the five-county area she is called to serve.

At the time of her election, Bishop Davenport served the synod as director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop, with responsibilities for new and redeveloping congregations, congregational vitality and urban ministries.

Bishop Davenport is a member of the Spirit and Truth Worship Center, Yeadon, Pa., where she served as founding pastor. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from the former Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, now United Lutheran Seminary. She earned a Certificate in Black Church Concentration from the seminary’s Urban Theological Institute and is a certified ELCA Level One Coach.

She has served the national church in a variety of capacities, including co-chair of the ELCA’s Guiding Coalition, member of the Congregational Vitality and African Descent Strategy teams, and secretary of the board of Lutheran Services in America. She is a lifetime member of the Philadelphia chapter of the African Descent Lutheran Association and is active with the Black Clergy of Philadelphia, Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia, Metropolitan Christian Council, and Christians United Against Addictions. Bishop Davenport is a much sought after speaker and leader.

She is the widow of Joel Davenport, with three adult children: Joel, Shanena and Jamar; and seven grandchildren, Joel III, Dominic, Chance, Cristian, Kayden, Justice, Kaleb, and Zion, who are her heart’s delight.

Biography

Photographs

Scheduling Visits by the Bishop

The bishop officiates at ordinations and consecrations of rostered leaders and at some installation services. She also regularly visits congregations for special events. To invite the bishop to visit your congregation, contact Yvonne Curtis at 267.323.3747 or via email as far in advance as possible, as the bishop is often scheduled for congregation, Synod and churchwide events as much as a year in advance.