Gregory Kimura consecrated sixth bishop of San Joaquin

[Episcopal News Service] The Diocese of San Joaquin consecrated and seated the Rt. Rev. Gregory Kimura as its sixth bishop on April 18 at St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Fresno, California.

Kimura, who formerly was rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church in South Pasadena in the Diocese of Los Angeles, succeeds Bishop David Rice.

The Rt. Rev. Gregory Kimura was consecrated and seated as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin on April 18 at St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Fresno, California. Photo: Diocese of San Joaquin/Facebook

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe was chief consecrator. He was joined by Rice, Alaska Bishop Mark Lattime, Los Angeles Bishop John Harvey Taylor, Northern California Bishop Megan Traquair and the Rt. Rev. Jeff Johnson, bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Rev. Anthony Guillén, The Episcopal Church’s former Latino/Hispanic Ministries missioner, preached.

Kimura was elected on the second ballot during a special diocesan convention in October 2025 with 58.6% of clergy votes and 65.7% of lay votes.

Kimura is a fourth-generation Japanese American and Alaskan and third-generation Episcopalian who got his start as a priest serving in the Diocese of Alaska at age 25. In addition to his work in the Alaskan diocese, he has served as vice dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and as rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ojai, where he started a Spanish-language Mass that grew to be the largest of three Sunday services.

Kimura also has worked in the nonprofit world, previously serving as president and CEO of the Los Angeles-based Japanese American National Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate. He also has been a university chaplain, sheriff’s chaplain, religion professor and department chair at Alaska Pacific University.

As bishop, Kimura leads 18 active congregations that offer various ministries, including feeding ministries, services for unhoused people and outreach to the Latino and LGBTQ+ communities. Additionally, the Fresno-based Diocese of San Joaquin has commissions with lay and ordained members that focus on migrant justice, racial justice and creation care.