The Diocese of West Tennessee is small, both geographically and in membership, but size has never limited its vision. Created in 1982, when the state-wide Diocese of Tennessee was divided into the dioceses of West Tennessee, East Tennessee, and Tennessee, our diocese numbers about 9,000 baptized members within 32 parishes and missions—19 located in the Memphis metropolitan area. The diocesan seat is St. Mary’s Cathedral, organized as a mission of Calvary Church in 1857 and located at the edge of downtown Memphis.

High on the diocese’s list of priorities is a longstanding commitment to the needs of its community, developing programs and facilities that include:  

• Emmanuel Episcopal Center: A ministry to youth and adult residents of public housing in the Memphis inner city.

• The Haiti Partnership: An ecumenical ministry in service to an Anglican church, hospital and orphanage in Haiti.

• St. Columba: A diocesan conference and retreat center on the outskirts of Memphis.

The Rt. Rev. Don E. Johnson, our third bishop, consecrated in 2001, has vigorously promoted service to all segments of the West Tennessee population. A native Tennessean, Bishop Johnson is known for his active involvement with Episcopal youth ministries and for working collaboratively, and often behind the scenes, to assess, negotiate, and advise on situations on behalf of the wider church. Noted for his initiatives involving youth, Johnson has committed to helping improve public education by forming partnerships with local schools. The 2011 budget testified to the importance of youth for the diocesan mission: 25% supported college and youth programs with 45% of that total designated to the Emmanuel Episcopal Center.  

Calvary’s relationship to the diocese is best described as growing increasingly closer. Almost 20 Calvary clergy and laypersons, including an archdeacon ordained through Calvary, currently serve in appointed or elected positions on diocesan committees and boards. Calvary has hosted diocesan convention on multiple occasions and was honored to host Happening #50, attended by 50 youth from seven parishes around the diocese.