Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
Diocese of Southwestern Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | Counties of Alleghany, Amherst, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Campbell, Carroll, Craig, Dickinson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Highland, Lee, Montgomery, Nelson, Patrick, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, & Wythe. |
| Ecclesiastical province | Province III |
| Statistics | |
| Congregations | 50 (2024)[1] |
| Members | 8,338 (2023)[2] |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church |
| Established | December 10, 1919 |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Sede vacante |
| Map | |
Location of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia | |
| Website | |
| www.dioswva.org | |
Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America located in the southwest area of Virginia. It is in Province III (for the Middle Atlantic region). The diocese includes parishes in the state's southwestern region, including the cities of Lynchburg and Roanoke.
The diocese reported 10,414 members in 2017 and 8,338 members in 2023; no membership statistics were reported in 2024 parochial reports. Plate and pledge income for the 50 filing congregations of the diocese in 2024 was $10,940,729. Average Sunday attendance (ASA) was 2,835 persons.[3]
The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia was created as a split from the Diocese of Southern Virginia in 1919. Although there has been an Anglican presence in southwestern Virginia since the mid-18th century, the Diocese of Southern Virginia had been formed in 1892 from the Diocese of Virginia covering most counties in the historic Commonwealth, and by the end of World War I with more than 260 congregations was the third largest diocese in the nation. Upon creation of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, Roanoke was named see city of the first Bishop, Robert Carter Jett, and its St. John's Church housed the diocesan offices until shortly after World War II, when Evans House was built.[4]
Mark Bourlakas was consecrated the Sixth Bishop of Southwestern Virginia in a ceremony held at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre on July 20, 2013,[5][6]
The diocese has two retreat centers: Grace House on the Mountain in Wise County and the Phoebe Needles Center in Franklin County.[7][8]
On February 19, 2025, Bishop Bourlakas announced that he would be standing down as bishop to become assisting bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.[9] Bourlakas resigned on June 1 of that year, with the Standing Committee becoming the ecclesiastical authority.[9] The Standing Committee released the slate of potential candidates on November 21.[9][10]
On January 31, 2026, the diocese elected the Rev. Karen MacPhail as seventh bishop.[11] The consecration of the seventh bishop is set to take place on June 13, 2026.[9]
External links
- The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
- Journal of the Annual Council, Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
References
- ^ "Explore Individual Parochial Report Trends". General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Explore Individual Parochial Report Trends". General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Explore Individual Parochial Report Trends". General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "A Historical Sketch of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia Retrieved on 16 December 2023.
- ^ "New Bishop Elected in Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia", Anglican Communion News Service, London, 11 March 2013. Retrieved on 26 January 2020.
- ^ Modisett, C.E. "Mark Allen Bourlakas ordained as Southwestern Virginia bishop", Episcopal News Service, New York, 23 July 2013. Retrieved on 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Grace House on the Mountain | Grace House on the Mountain Home". Archived from the original on 2013-05-07. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
- ^ "Phoebe Needles Camp and Conference Center | Educational, Spiritual, and Renewal Programs". phoebeneedles.org. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
- ^ a b c d "SWVA Bishop Search Timeline.docx". Google Docs. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ^ "Southwestern Virginia diocese announces bishop slate". Episcopal News Service. 2025-11-24. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ^ "Announcing Southwestern Virginia's new Bishop-Elect, Karin MacPhail". The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Retrieved 1 February 2026.