Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee

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The Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America that covers Middle Tennessee. West Tennessee and East Tennessee, originally in The Diocese of Tennessee, formed their own Episcopal dioceses in 1982 (see links below).

In a history of the diocese published in celebration of its 175th anniversary, Bishop Herlong states:

For 175 years, the Diocese of Tennessee has proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Episcopal manner and tradition. On July 1-2, 1829, the fledgling church gathered at the Masonic Hall in Nashville to hold the primary convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Tennessee. Three clergy and six laymen representing four congregations met with Bishop John Stark Ravenscroft of the Diocese of North Carolina presiding. In that same year, the 16th general Convention meeting in Phaladelphia on August 12-20 admitted the church in the state of Tennessee into union with the General Convention. Since that time, the Episcopal Church in Tennessee has grown and now consists of three dioceses with 137 congregations and 37,518 baptized members. Someone recently told me that the past is the prologue to the future. I believe that is true. We have a "goodly heritage" as Episcopalian Christians and we can face the future with confidence and hope. In our time and generation may we be faithful and continue the mission and ministry so well begun by those who have gone before."

Currently, the Right Reverend Dr. Bertram Nelson Herlong serves as diocesan bishop and the Reverend Canon Jill Zook-Jones serves as canon to the ordinary. Bishop Herlong is set to retire at the end of October 2006 pending the election of his successor. After three previous attempts to elect a new bishop the Diocese elected to restart the process and try again with a new slate of candidates; that vote is set for late October. Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville serves as its cathedral. The diocesan offices are located in MetroCenter area of Nashville, TN.

The diocese currently includes 52 parishes and mission outposts.

[edit] References

[1]

	Episcopal Dioceses in Province IV
	Alabama • Atlanta • Central Florida • Central Gulf Coast • East Carolina • East Tennessee • Florida • Georgia • Kentucky • Lexington • Louisiana • Mississippi • North Carolina • South Carolina • Southeast Florida • Southwest Florida • Tennessee • Upper South Carolina • West Tennessee • Western North Carolina
	Province I • Province II • Province III • Province IV • Province V • Province VI • Province VII • Province VIII • Province IX