Diocesan Bishops

The First Bishop
The Right Reverend William Hobart Hare 1883-1909 Hare first served as the Missionary Bishop of Niobrara, which was established in 1873. It covered a territory north of the Niobrara River and west of the Missouri, all the way to the Rockies. He then served from 1883 to 1909 as the Diocese’s first Bishop. He designed the Niobrara Cross as a symbol of the truth in Christianity. During his tenure, Bishop Hare ministered to 10,000 active Episcopal members within the Native American communities in 100 churches spread throughout the reservations.

The Second Bishop
The Right Reverend Frederick Foote Johnson 1910-1911 Bishop Johnson created a mission in the surrounding region of Rosebud. He was involved in building the Rectory for the Church of the Incarnation at Dallas, SD.

The Third Bishop
The Right Reverend George Biller, Jr. 1912-1915 Bishop Biller created the South Dakota Churchman in February, 1913. It was designed as a means to reach out to the people in the Diocese. At this time, Bishop Biller would have been able to visit his people only once or twice a year. He spoke forcefully about the dire need for a Suffragan Bishop.

The Fourth Bishop
The Right Reverend Hugh Latimer Burleson 1916-1931 He further defined the goal of the South Dakota Churchman as: “To reach every family, even in our remotest mission, and the scattered church-folk of the countryside. It is a messenger of religion and life as exemplified in the work and service of the Episcopal Church. It should also be a missionary, making known to our own people, and to those favorably disposed to us, the activities which the church carries on, for the ideals for which she stands.” In 1930, Bishop Burleson created the Niobrara Council to address all Native American concerns.

The Fifth Bishop
The Right Reverend W. Blair Roberts 1931-1954 After World War II, he appointed Native American clergy to assist in the growth of Native urban communities in South Dakota’s larger cities of Huron, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls, including other growing towns. In 1940, he also dedicated the new St. Elizabeth’s School on the Standing Rock reservation after a fire had destroyed the school in 1939.

The Sixth Bishop
The Right Reverend Conrad H. Gesner 1954-1970 During his tenure, the growth of Native American and Non-Native American clergy flourished. In 1965, he was one of the designers and creators of the Thunderhead Episcopal Camp, also known as TEC. TEC now serves as a retreat center and a summer camp for the Diocese.

The Seventh Bishop
The Right Reverend Walter Heath Jones 1970-1983 He furthered the progress of church-oriented programs such as Cursillo. He was also an active member of the National Committee on Indian Works. During his episcopacy, an election was called for a Suffragan Bishop. Harold S. Jones became the first Native American Suffragan Bishop of South Dakota.

The Eighth Bishop
The Right Reverend Craig Barry Anderson 1984-1992 Bishop Anderson promoted a fundraising campaign which resulted in a more than one million dollar endowment for clergy support. He also started the Niobrara School for Ministry and served on the South Dakota Governor’s Commission on Reconciliation.

The Ninth Bishop
The Right Reverend Creighton L. Robertson 1994- It is his announced retirement that has prompted the search for the Tenth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota. In 1995, Bishop Robertson sought for alternate means to train clergy. This began a program now called Mutual Ministry, which trains congregations and then raises members up to serve as clergy in that local area. He has also been an adamant spokesperson, stressing the need for more Native American clergy.