Our History

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. When the Diocese of Wisconsin was formed in 1847, Kemper became provisional bishop from 1847 to 1854. He was made first bishop of the Diocese of Wisconsin in 1854 and served until 1870.

In 1875, completing a process started by Kemper, the Diocese of Fond du Lac was formed in the northeast part of Wisconsin. This section of the state had seen dramatic population and economic growth over the previous decade. The Diocese of Wisconsin was renamed to the Diocese of Milwaukee in 1886. In 1928, the Diocese of Eau Claire was formed in the northwest part of Wisconsin from congregations formerly in the the Diocese of Milwaukee and the Diocese of Fond du Lac. This section of the state had seen dramatic population and economic growth over the previous decade.

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.