about the Diocese of Chicago

We believe ministry and leadership of the church are shared by both lay people and clergy, and instill this principle in our Baptismal Covenant, our Outline of the Faith, and our system of governance. Our corporate life is governed by our annual Diocesan Convention, and our various commissions, agencies and boards.

With 40,000 baptized members, 380 clergy and 127 congregations and fellowships, the Diocese of Chicago ranks as the twelfth largest of the 100 domestic dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the United States. The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago traces its beginning to 1835 when Bishop Philander Chase founded the Diocese of Illinois. In 1877 two new dioceses were created out of the western portion of the state (the Diocese of Quincy) and the central and southern sections (the Diocese of Springfield) leaving the northern third of Illinois to the original diocese which took the name of its see city (where the bishop is seated), Chicago. It comprises 21 counties and 12,000 square miles, bounded on the west by the Mississippi River, on the north by the Wisconsin border, on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the south by Interstate 74. Besides Chicago, its principal cities include Aurora, DeKalb, Elgin, Joliet, Kankakee, Rockford, and Waukegan. 

The diocese is organized into 10 regional deaneries for administration and ministry networking.

Diocesan headquarters are located adjacent to St. James Cathedral at Rush and Huron Streets in Chicago. St. James Cathedral, founded in 1834, was the first Episcopal Church in northern Illinois and was designated the diocesan cathedral in 1955, succeeding the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul which was destroyed by fire in 1921.

Rooted in the church’s Anglo-Catholic tradition, the Diocese of Chicago welcomes a diversity of cultural, liturgical and theological expression as exemplified in its worship settings which range from evangelical to traditional Anglo-Catholic; in its ethnic diversity (seven Hispanic congregations, ten African American congregations and a joint Anglo-Korean congregation) and in its affiliated organizations which include Cursillo (faith renewal), Episcopal Church Women (service), the Society of St. Mary (Marian devotional), the Brotherhood of St. Andrew (service), the Union of Black Episcopalians, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and Integrity (gay/lesbian caucus).

The diocese is considered a leader in the church in the areas of leadership development (through its innovative Making Excellent Disciples program for new priests); lifelong Christian formation; and misconduct prevention (Keeping God’s People Safe program).

 The diocese’s commitment to social witness and community service is expressed through the work of 12 Episcopal Charities and Community Service agencies; various committees including the Hunger Commission, AIDS Task Force, the AntiRacism Commission, and the Commission on Global Ministry; and participation in community organizing efforts such as United Power for Action and Justice. Most diocesan congregations are engaged in some form of outreach, many through diocesan or ecumenical partnerships such as the PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program; Habitat for Humanity; and various transitional and long-term housing ministries.

Spiritual oversight of the diocese is vested in its bishop, the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, who was elected the 12th bishop of Chicago on November 10, 2007, and consecrated bishop on February 2, 2008. Bishop Lee succeeds Bishop William D.  Persell who was elected bishop in November 1998 and consecrated March 13, 1999. Bishop Persell previously served as dean of Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland in the Diocese of Ohio, and before that as rector of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity parish in New York City. Bishop Persell resigned office on the consecration of Bishop Lee, and retired to Cleveland with his wife Nancy.

The bishop serves as presiding officer of the administrative bodies of the diocese, including the Diocesan Council (budget and program), Bishop and Trustees (property management and gifts and endowments) and Diocesan Convention (legislation); and as the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese. With no set term, the bishop serves until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 72, or steps down for personal or canonical reasons. The bishop is assisted by a 20-member staff organized in four departments: Office of the Bishop; Finance and Administration; Deployment and Congregational Development; and Communication and Development. Assisting in episcopal ministry is the Rt. Rev. Victor A. Scantlebury who was appointed assistant bishop in March 2000. A native of Panama, Bishop Scantlebury previously served as assisting bishop in the Diocese of Mississippi and as suffragan bishop for the Diocese of Panama.