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.
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."A Historical Sketch of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia Retrieved on 16 December 2023.
On January 31, 2026, the diocese elected the Rev. Karin MacPhail as seventh bishop. Her consecration took place on June 13, 2026.Episcopal News Service, "Karin MacPhail consecrated 7th bishop of Southwestern Virginia", June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
External links The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia Journal of the Annual Council, Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
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