The Right Reverend Dr. Alphonza Gadsden Sr.

The Right Reverend Doctor Alphonza Gadsden, Sr., a compassionate Christian leader, spiritual advisor, and advocate for theological education, was born on December 13, 1945, in St. Stephen, South Carolina to the late Silas and Leola R. Gadsden. He was the eldest of two children blessed to this union. He was preceded in death by first his wife Allison Sumter Gadsden; two sons, Alphonza Gadsden, Jr., and Zebedee Gadsden, respectively; and his brother, Luther B. Gadsden. Bishop Gadsden is known as a quiet storm?an intense and passionate servant of God who led with distinction. He departed this life Friday evening, January 17, 2024, at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Black River Medical Center, Cades, South Carolina.

At an early age, Bishop Gadsden was confirmed and baptized in Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church, Pineville SC, and eventually served as Lay Reader, Sunday School Teacher, and choir member prior to becoming an ordained minister.

He received his early education in the public schools of Berkeley County, SC and graduated with honors from Russellville High School, St. Stephen, SC. He furthered his education at South Carolina Area Trade School in Denmark, SC, currently known as Denmark Technical College, and received certification as an Auto Mechanic. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Limestone University, Gaffney, SC, and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology; he attended Cummins Theological Seminary, Summerville, SC, and earned a Master of Divinity Degree in Theology. He pursued a Doctor of Ministry Degree at Erskine College, Due West, SC; and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Commission on Theological Education of the Reformed Episcopal Seminary, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

Bishop Gadsden served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and received numerous medals and recognitions as a soldier, to include National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960, Combat Infantryman Badge, (1st Award), ExpertM-14, 2 o/s Bars and Army Commendation Metal. His career spanned 39 years of service in South Carolina in the United States Postal Service?having achieved various levels of management in Charleston, SC, Summerville, SC and Kingstree, SC to include: Postal Operation Specialist, Supervisor, and Postmaster. He retired in 2005 from the U. S. Postal Service as the FIRST African American Postmaster in the history of Kingstree, SC.

He was ordained a deacon in 1991 and as a Presbyter in 1992 by Bishop Sanko King Rembert. Gadsden served as student minister at Good Shepherd RE Church, Bonneau, SC, The Church of Atonement RE Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Liberty RE Church, Jamestown, SC prior to becoming a Presbyter. He served over 17 years as Rector of Liberty RE Church, Jamestown, SC. During his tenure, spiritual matters and membership increased significantly; and improvement was made in the sanctuary and to the physical structure of the church.

In addition, he served with distinction in many capacities as a minister of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was President of the Standing Committee for several years in the Diocese of the Southeast under the leadership of Bishop James C. West, Ordinary, and served on the General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church.

He was the Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Southeast of the Reformed Episcopal Church in the Anglican Church in North America from 2007 to 2020.

He worked with the Common Cause Partners, helping to lead the formation of the Anglican Church in North America. He was one of the original organizers and signatories of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) at its inception in 2009 in Dallas Texas with the leadership of Robert W. Duncan. One of Only four (4) African American Bishops in the ACNA, Bishop Gadsden was appointed Vice Chairman of the Provincial Assembly and Council of the Church under the leadership of Archbishop Foley Beach. Over the years, Bishop Gadsden served on many committees, councils, boards, and task forces at both the local, national, and global levels. After the retirement of Archbishop Beach, he was reappointed to serve as Deputy Chair of Provincial Assembly and Council of the Church under the current leader Archbishop Steve Woods.

In addition, he was a professor at Cummins Theological Seminary and Interim Rector at New Israel Church in Charleston. He was Vice President to the Presiding Bishop of the General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church, and Deputy Chair to Archbishop Foley Beach of Provincial Council in the Anglican Church in North America.

Bishop Gadsden believed that community service is important. He served as a member and leader of several civic organizations to include, President of the Kiwanis Club of Kingstree, Williamsburg County Hometown Chamber, Williamsburg County Vital Aging Board, South Carolina Christian Action Council Board of Directors, NAACP Berkeley and Williamsburg Counties, President of the Rotary Club Kingstree and currently as a board member of the Kingstree Lions Club.

Bishop Gadsden credits all of his achievements to the All-sufficient Grace of Almighty God first; then to his lovely wife of 33 years, the former Hester Brown of Hemingway, SC, who is an inspiration and great supporter of his ministry, as well as a wonderful help meet and mother to their children.

Bishop Gadsden subscribes wholly to God's word in Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths."

Bishop Gadsden leaves a legacy of unwavering love, faith, and cherished memories with his devoted wife, Hester B. Gadsden, of Kingstree, SC; a granddaughter he lovingly reared as his own, Ashley Gadsden of the home; sons, Alphonza (Jane) Long of York, SC, Avery (Crystal) Cooper of St. Stephen, SC, Tamar Lazain Gadsden of Suitland, MD and Stephen Cooper of Charlotte, NC; daughters, Zylynda Hopkins of Fredericksburg, VA and Sherhonda Julius of Hemingway, SC; daughters-in-law, Mary Starks Gadsden of Columbia, SC and Yolanda Smalls Gadsden of Cross, SC; grandchildren: Corvodis, D'Kyron, Allison, Brittany, Whitney, Darnell, Racquel, Charnice, Jessica, Allen, Christopher, Nick, Camron, Imani, Zoe, Madison, Abigail; great-grandchildren: Ellis, Emmanuel, Elias, Addison, Kaiden.

He will also be remembered with love by, his brothers and sisters-in law: Ruth Gadsden, St. Stephen, SC, Isaac (Gertie) Brown Jr., Elmont, NY, Kenneth (Sylvia) Woods, Mt. Vernon, NY, Arthur (Frances) Brown, Pittsburg PA, Larry (Debra) Wilson, Hemingway, SC, Doretha B. McFadden, Jamaica Estates, NY, Rose Brown, Hemingway, SC, Ada B. Belton, Columbia, SC, and Verlinda B. Jones, Loris, SC; his cousins, Curt Gadsden, Linda Gadsden Governor, Lois Cooper Howell; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services were held January 24, 2025, at Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church, Pineville, SC. Burial was in Kingstree Memorial Gardens, Kingstree, SC.

Memorials may be made to the The Right Reverend Dr. Alphonza Gadsden, Sr. Scholarship Fund at Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary, 705 South Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483 or made online at cumminstheoseminary.org.

Services were entrusted to Gethers Funeral Home, Moncks Corner, SC.

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