The reunited diocese retained the three historic cathedrals of the former Dioceses of Milwaukee, Eau Claire, and Fond du Lac.
History
The diocese was formed after Jackson Kemper was named the Episcopal Church's first missionary bishop and oversaw the church's mission to the Northwest Territories from 1835 to 1859. He became provisional bishop of Wisconsin from 1847 to 1854 and first bishop of the Diocese of Wisconsin from 1854 to 1870.[1]
In 1875, the Diocese of Fond du Lac was created to serve the northeastern 26 counties of the state. The Diocese of Eau Claire, was carved out of the diocese in 1928 for the counties in the northwestern part of Wisconsin. The Diocese of Wisconsin became the Diocese of Milwaukee in 1886.[2]
During the first two decades of the 21st century, membership declined from 15,000 to 8,000.
In 2021, it was announced that the diocese of Fond du Lac, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee would contemplate entering an agreement of greater collaboration.[3] In October 2021, it was announced that the three dioceses would actively pursue reuniting as one diocese in Wisconsin.[4] On May 4, 2024, the three dioceses voted to approve reunion as the Diocese of Wisconsin.[5] The merger agreement received approval at General Convention in June 2024.
