150th Anniversary
About the Diocese of Newark
The Diocese of Newark is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion represented in the United States (as well as some other parts of the world) by The Episcopal Church. It was established in 1874 as the Diocese of Northern New Jersey by the third Bishop of New Jersey, William Henry Odenheimer, who then became its first Bishop. In 1886 the diocese changed its name to the Diocese of Newark.
The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
The diocese comprises the northern third of New Jersey, with congregations in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren, and Union counties. More than 3.5 million people live within its bounds. It is a largely urban diocese, and includes the two largest cities in the state, Newark and Jersey City. The western and northern portions of the diocese are far less densely populated, some areas being rural in character, wooded and mountainous. Of New Jersey’s 566 municipalities, 206 are located in the diocese.
A Vibrant & Varied Community
There are 92 congregations and four affiliated worshipping communities located in the Diocese of Newark. There are more than 20,000 worshipping Episcopalians and we have over 200 active ordained clergy, both men and women. Our worship and liturgical expression is vibrant and varied, ranging from Anglo-Catholic to liberation to conservative to liberal Protestant to Evangelical. For more information about any of our congregations, visit our Church Directory. A map of our diocese is available here.
The Heart of the Episcopal Worship
At the heart of Episcopal worship is the Book of Common Prayer (the BCP), and within it, the principal weekly worship service is the Holy Eucharist—also known as Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, or Mass. It is called “common prayer” because Anglicans pray it together, around the world. Since its introduction in the 16th century, the purpose of the BCP has been to provide in one place a core of instructions and rites for Anglican Christians to worship together. Within its pages you will find the main beliefs of our church as well as the order of service for various forms of sacramental worship, such as Holy Communion, Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Burial, and Confession/Reconciliation.
We believe we are called by Jesus Christ, whose power transforms us into a new community. Together, we strive to express that transformation in the world around us. The Diocese of Newark collaborates with God in the mission of Jesus in the 21st century, providing opportunities to grow spiritually, to serve and advocate for those who are marginalized, and to receive expressions of healing and care.
We are proud to have been among the first dioceses to ordain women to the priesthood and to ordain openly gay clergy. Our passion for diversity and inclusion has called us to be among the leading advocates for equality and justice for people of all races, cultures, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Our congregations are engaged in mission throughout the world, in places like Panama, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Burundi and Cameroon.
Meet Our Bishop
On May 19, 2018, the Rev. Carlye J. Hughes was elected as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Newark on the first ballot. Upon her consecration on September 22, 2018 at NJPAC, she became the first woman and African American to serve as bishop of this diocese.
Learn More
Staff Directory
To reach a member of staff at Episcopal House, see our Staff Directory.
Diocesan Governance
To learn about the governance of the Diocese of Newark, see Diocesan Governance.
Strategic Visioning Report & Recommendations
In September 2022, the Diocese of Newark launched a visioning process to understand what is happening in the diocese now, collect ideas, and develop a new vision for the diocese with priorities, goals, and recommended actions to meet those goals. See the Strategic Visioning report and recommendations.
Associated Organizations
Episcopal Church-wide Organizations
EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FUND
Northern New Jersey-based Organizations
ALL THE WAY UP – Adult Education Center
GREENFAITH – Interfaith partners for the environment
INTERWEAVE CENTER FOR HOLISTIC LIVING
THE OASIS – LGBTi Ministry
Get In Touch
Have questions we can help answer? Get in touch with our team today. We look forward to hearing from you.
