about us

The Diocese of Chicago is one of 113 domestic and overseas dioceses comprising The Episcopal Church, one of the 38 member churches, or provinces, of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Our church carries out its mission through over 7,600 congregations in all 50 U.S. states, and 15 nations outside the U.S., most of them in Central and South America. We are an open and inclusive church that traces its formation to the first apostles, and retains this connection through its bishops, the episcopos which in the early church exercised oversight of the church’s faith and order.

The ministry of bishops, the episcopate, is an important part of our identity. Each diocese is organized around a bishop who is charged with guarding the faith, unity and discipline of the church, and like all members, lay and ordained, is called to proclaim God’s Word, and to work for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the church. Our diocesan community in northern Illinois is under the leadership of Bishop Jeffrey Lee who is assisted by Assistant Bishop Victor Scantlebury.

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 41,000 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.

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 (five 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.