Donald J. Davis

Donald James Davis (March 12, 1929 – August 30, 2007) was an American prelate who was the sixth Bishop of Erie, and then of Northwestern Pennsylvania after its name was changed.

Davies was born on March 12, 1929 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, the son of LcRoy Francis Davis and Rya Anne Stewart. He grew up in Frederick, Maryland and was educated at the public schools there. He studied at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1949. He then commenced studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1952. On September 6, 1952, he married Mary Gray Schofidd and together had three children. He was awarded a Master of Arts from Bowling Green State University in 1971 and a Doctor of Divinity in 1975 from Westminster College.

Davis was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1952 and served churches in Washington, D.C.. After joining the Episcopal Church, he was ordained deacon and priest in 1955 by Bishop Angus Dun at Washington National Cathedral. He then became curate of the Church of the Epiphany and Christ Church in Washington, D.C.. In 1957 he became rector of St Christopher's Church in [[Indianapolis], where he remained till 1963. Between 1963 and 1971, he served as rector of Trinity Church in Toledo, Ohio, after which he became rector of Trinity Church in Bloomington, Indiana in 1971. He also subsequently served as chaplain at Indiana University until 1973.

Davies was elected Coadjutor Bishop of Erie on May 19, 1973 and was consecrated that same year by Presiding Bishop John E. Hines. He succeeded as diocesan bishop on January 1, 1974. Davis is well remembered for being the bishop to preside over the first canonical ordination of a female priest in the Episcopal Church, when he ordained the Reverend Jacqueline Means on January 1, 1977. he was also instrumental in the Standing Commission on Church Music, which was responsible for the revision of the 1940 church hymnal, which resulted in the Hymnal of 1982. Davis retired on April 1, 1991.