Rt Rev John Bauerschmidt
1959-
Pope Francis greeting Bishop John Bauerschmidt during the ecumenical vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Pope Francis greeting Bishop John Bauerschmidt during the ecumenical vespers at San Gregorio al Celio ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Archbishop Justin Welby greeting Bishop John Bauerschmidt during the ecumenical vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Archbishop Justin Welby greeting Bishop John Bauerschmidt during the ecumenical vespers at San Gregorio al Celio. Photo credit: L'Osservatore Romano ~ 5 Oct. 2016

Series: John Bauerschmidt (1959-)

ARC-USA (Co-Chair)

The Rt. Rev’d John Crawford Bauerschmidt has served as the eleventh Bishop of Tennessee since his election on October 28, 2006, and subsequent consecration on January 27, 2007. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and is a graduate of Kenyon College, the General Theological Seminary, and the University of Oxford, where he earned a D.Phil. in 1996. His doctoral thesis was titled Sexual Difference and the Relationship of the Sexes in the Theology of St. Augustine, supervised by the Rev. Canon Oliver O’Donovan.

Prior to his episcopate, Bishop Bauerschmidt served in various dioceses, including South Carolina, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Louisiana. He and his wife, Caroline Barnard Pearce, have three adult children. Bishop Bauerschmidt has a professional interest in theology and an amateur love of history—particularly the history of ideas.

Under his leadership, the Diocese of Tennessee has navigated periods of division and change, with Bishop Bauerschmidt working to heal the divisions within his diocese that reflect the sharp differences of views within the Episcopal Church and the broader Anglican Communion.

In July 2025, Bishop Bauerschmidt announced plans to step down in 2027 after 20 years leading the diocese.

Documents authored by Rt Rev John Bauerschmidt