The most Reverend Dr. John E. Upham, Jr. (1959-2023)

The Anglican Province of Christ the King regrets to announce that Archbishop John Exley Upham went home to his blessed Saviour on the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, February twenty-third, in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty three.

Rest eternal grant unto him and may light perpetual shine upon him.

The Most Reverend Dr. John E. Upham, Jr., was elected fourth Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Christ the King on December 6, 2019 by the Council of Bishops. He succeeds Archbishop Morrison, retired Archbishop Emeritus, effective January 1, 2020.

Archbishop Upham was installed as Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Atlantic States of the Anglican Province of Christ the King (APCK) in services at All Saints Anglican Church in Bolingbrook, IL, by The Most Rev. Frederick G. Morrison, Archbishop of the APCK and Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Southwestern States. Bishop Upham was previously consecrated Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese of the Atlantic States at Saint Peter's Pro-Cathedral in Oakland on August 15, 2012. In addition to his duties as Bishop Ordinary, Bishop Upham also serves as Rector of St. George’s, Raleigh, NC.

Bishop Upham grew up in Raleigh, was baptized at Hayes-Barton United Methodist Church, and was confirmed at St. Mark’s Anglican Church by the late James Pollard Clark, Bishop of the Diocese of the Southern States, APCK. Archbishop Upham holds a Bachelor degree in Music Education and Performance (Voice and Organ) and a Master of Education (Counseling) from Campbell University, a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from Duke University Divinity School, a Doctor of Theology from St. Andrew’s Theological College and Seminary, and a Doctor of Canon Law degree from St. Andrew’s.

Archbishop Upham served in music and music education positions in churches and religious schools from 1979 to 1990, when he entered Duke University Divinity School to study for the ordained ministry. He was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Clark on August, 21st, 1999. Archbishop Upham served Saint Mark’s Anglican Church as Rector and held the post of Academic Counselor and Director of Choral Music at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh. In December, 2001, he was called to be Rector at St. George’s Anglican Church in Raleigh. As St. George’s grew, he retired from teaching in 2004 and has devoted his life to full-time ministry.

Archbishop Upham was married to the former Elizabeth (Madge) Buchanan. They have four children and four grandchildren.