diocesan structure

The Diocese of Wisconsin is one of 108 geographic dioceses of The Episcopal Church, each overseen by a bishop and a legislative body composed of clergy and laity. The bishop for the Diocese of Wisconsin is the Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter, serving as the diocese's 12th bishop.  Gunter was elected bishop of the former Diocese of Fond du Lac on October 19,  2013. Following a successful consent process, he was consecrated bishop  on April 26, 2014.


  The Diocese of Wisconsin encompasses the state of  Wisconsin. It is a reunification of three dioceses:  the Diocese of Milwaukee, the Diocese of Eau Claire, and the Diocese of Fond du Lac.

   Over the decades, the three dioceses operated separately with all the duties and privileges of a diocese of the Episcopal Church. They also would meet together from time to time for common interests and share resources to support common ministry in Wisconsin. 

   In the early 1970’s, the Dioceses of Milwaukee and Eau Claire seriously discussed the possibility of merging, but no action was taken. In the late 2000’s, the Diocese of Eau Claire and Fond du Lac took action to merge, but the junction did not occur.

   In 2021, Fond du Lac, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee began to contemplate an agreement of greater collaboration. After initial consideration, the three dioceses determined to actively pursue reunion. At a special joint convention in May 2024 in Baraboo, Wisconsin the three dioceses affirmed reunion as one Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin. This decision was confirmed by the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Louisville, Kentucky on June 28, 2024.

   The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter, who had been diocesan bishop in Fond du Lac, provisional bishop in Eau Claire and assisting bishop in Milwaukee, became the 12th Bishop of Wisconsin.

 The diocese contains about 15,000 baptized members worshiping  in over 100 locations, including St. Luke's in Sister Bay. It is part of Province 5 (the upper Midwest). Diocesan  offices are in Appleton, Wisconsin.  For more information visit  https://www.diowis.org