Paula Clark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Paula Clark |
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|---|---|
| Bishop of Chicago | |
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| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Chicago |
| Elected | December 12, 2020 |
| Predecessor | Jeffrey D. Lee |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2004 |
| Consecration | September 17, 2022 by Michael Curry |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Previous post | Canon to the Ordinary and Chief of Staff, Episcopal Diocese of Washington |
| Alma mater | Brown University |
Paula E. Clark is a very important leader in the Episcopal Church. She is the thirteenth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. This means she leads many churches in the Chicago area. She began her role in September 2022. When she was chosen on December 12, 2020, she made history. She is the first African American and the first woman to be elected as Bishop of Chicago.
Early Life and Education
Paula Clark grew up in Washington, D.C. Her family joined an Episcopal church when she was young. This happened after they had trouble joining a Baptist church nearby. She was baptized at age 10 by Bishop John T. Walker. He was the Bishop of Washington at that time.
She went to Brown University for her college studies. Later, she earned a Master's degree in Public Policy. She received this degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Before becoming a church leader, she worked for the government in Washington, D.C. After that, she went to Virginia Theological Seminary to study for the ministry. She finished seminary and became an ordained minister in 2004.
Becoming the Bishop of Chicago
Paula Clark was chosen to be the Bishop of Chicago on December 12, 2020. She was elected unanimously on the fourth try. This means everyone agreed she was the right person for the job. At the time, she was working as a leader in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.
Her official ceremony, called a consecration, was planned for April 24, 2021. She was going to take over from Bishop Jeffrey D. Lee. However, her consecration had to be delayed several times. This was because she had some health issues that needed surgery.
The ceremony was first moved to June 12, 2021. Then it was moved again to August 28, 2021. On July 28, 2021, the diocese announced another delay. They said her health was getting better, but she still needed more time to recover. An assisting bishop helped with duties during this time.
Finally, in May 2022, the diocese announced a new date. Paula Clark was consecrated as bishop on September 17, 2022. The ceremony took place at a hotel in Lombard, Illinois. She officially began her important role leading the churches in Chicago.
