The Diocese of Chicago is a vital Christian community of 41,000, 380 clergy and 127 congregations, the Diocese of Chicago and ranks as the twelfth largest of the 100 domestic dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the United States.  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 Episcopal Diocese of Chicago traces its beginning to 1835 when Bishop Philander Chase founded the Diocese of Illinois.  All are welcome in any of the 127 congregations, four campus ministries, a dozen social outreach agencies, and hundreds of church-based ministries and programs.  

     The Diocese of Chicago is one of 111 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 episcopoi which in the early church exercised oversight of the church’s faith and order.

     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. Corporate life is governed by the annual Diocesan Convention, and our various commissions, agencies and boards. Spiritual oversight of the Diocese is vested in the bishop, The Rt. Rev. Jeffery D. Lee, who was elected the 12th bishop of Chicago on November 10, 2007, and consecrated bishop on February 2, 2008.  Bishop Lee is assisted by Assistant Bishop Victor Scantlebury, who was appointed assistant bishop in March 2000.  

        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’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 Anti-Racism Committee, 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.