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WHO WE ARE
EPISCOPALIANS IN ALABAMA
We are a vibrant, dynamic, and ever-evolving Episcopal diocese—strengthened by our diversity and committed to sharing God's transformational love with the world.
The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama reflects a rich cross section of people unified and transformed by the love of God in Jesus Christ. We are young people, seniors, and every generation in between. We worship in areas both rural and urban, in communities of great affluence and some of the most impoverished in our country.
Our community includes professionals, artisans, educators, healthcare workers, farmers, students, and entrepreneurs. We are people of many races, ethnicities, gender identities, orientations, cultural and spiritual backgrounds, and hold a variety of worship styles—from high church to low church, Anglo-Catholic to evangelical, and traditional to innovative. We celebrate our differences which make us a vibrant, dynamic, and ever-evolving Episcopal church committed to sharing God's transformational love with the world.
"IF IT'S NOT ABOUT LOVE, IT'S NOT ABOUT GOD.": After being delayed for two years because of COVID, a diocesan revival was held in 2022. The Rt. Reverend Michael Curry was our preacher.
FOLLOWING JESUS' SUFFERING:
Each year on Good Friday, people from across the diocese gather to walk the Stations of the Cross in downtown Birmingham, using a liturgy that was created by Birmingham's first deacons.
The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama is known for bold innovation in living out our mission.
In recent years, this has borne out in our efforts to plant churches in growing areas where the Episcopal Church
did not have a presence, foster creative partnerships, and develop unique initiatives. Newly created grants for individual parishes are enhancing growth, engagement, and environmental sustainability efforts.
Beyond local innovation, we are deeply engaged in the work of the U.S.-based Episcopal Church, embracing its legacy of inclusiveness while maintaining unity among congregants with varying viewpoints. Today’s Episcopal Church in Alabama represents our belief that God loves the whole world—every race, every group, every heart.
The diocese is committed to reckoning with our state's history of slavery, segregation, and violent resistance to the Civil Rights Movement, creating pathways for racial healing by addressing systems of unconscious bias. The diocese is also reaching out to and learning from Episcopalians of color. In 2022, the diocese created the position of Missioner for Racial Healing and Pilgrimage to lead efforts promoting reconciliation, foster conversations that bridge divides, and strengthen unity within the church and community. Diocesan-led programs including Courageous Conversation, the Sacred Ground curriculum, and Anti-Racism Training are designed
to help participants build community and navigate the complexities of interracial and multicultural dialogue about race.
The diocese has striven for reconciliation in other ways as well. When the General Convention authorized same-sex union blessings in 2012, many dioceses faced a crossroads, as some parishes came to embrace this change while others remained opposed. The Diocese of Alabama made a decision to allow individual rectors and parishes to decide for themselves. While parishes remain divided on these issues, the diocese today ordains gay and lesbian priests, some of whom currently serve in Alabama parishes, and permits
the blessing and marriage of same-sex marriages in churches that choose to do so.
ROLL CALL: At the conclusion of the Jonathan Daniels and Martyrs of Alabama Pilgrimage, youth from across the diocese gather at the Lowndes County Courthouse to honor the martyrs, holding up their photos as each name is read aloud.
OUR WORSHIP
Our worship reflects our diversity. Most congregations use Rite I and II from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, with occasional services from Enriching Our Worship. Our music ranges from traditional choirs and hymns to jazz, Taizé chants, and contemporary Christian music—sometimes all within the same parish. In many parishes you will find Lift Every Voice and Sing and/or a yellow Alleluia III songbook (a product of Episcopal Cursillo in the Diocese of Alabama) right next to Hymnal 1982.
ORDAINED LEADERSHIP
We currently have 109 canonical clergy. Like many dioceses, we are working to increase ordained leadership to meet present and future needs. Over the past four years, we welcomed 21 new clergy from outside Alabama and saw six clergy relocate within the diocese—reflecting both the compelling nature of ministry here and the dedicated work of diocesan staff, lay leaders, and search committees.
Our 26 deacons serve under the bishop’s authority and are guided by the archdeacon. Appointed as ministers (primarily non-stipendiary) in congregations and diocesan roles, deacons lead the church outward to address suffering and injustice and build leadership for community engagement within parishes. Listening Session participants have shared a passionate desire to grow the number of deacons, who play large, invaluable roles in the life of the church.
WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
1828: Our first church,
Christ Episcopal, Tuscaloosa
2024: Our newest church,
Riverside Episcopal, McCalla
WHO WE ARE
OUR HISTORY
The history of the Diocese of Alabama is a narrative of growth, challenge, and transformation. The diocese’s story begins in January 1828 with the establishment of Christ Church in Tuscaloosa. The Episcopal presence in Alabama saw significant development under the leadership of Nicholas Hammer Cobbs, who became the first diocesan bishop in 1844. Cobbs’ tenure witnessed the growth of the church from 18 to 39 parishes, expanding the reach and impact of the Episcopal faith.
Throughout its history, the Episcopal Church in Alabama has actively participated in pivotal social and political causes. In the early 20th century, Rev. Carl Heckell’s vision led to the founding of Holy Innocents Hospital for Children, now known as Children’s of Alabama, setting a precedent for faith-based community service. In the 1930s, Bishop William George McDowell quietly supported civil rights efforts, notably advocating for the defendants in the Scottsboro Boys case, alongside Presbyterian pastor Henry Edmonds.
Despite some strides, racial tensions posed significant challenges, leading to a 1955 diocesan committee that identified racial segregation as a barrier to growth. The diocese is committed to active engagement with the past with an eye toward the future. In March 2001 the diocese formed the Taskforce for Becoming Beloved Community, which merged in 2023 with the Truth, Justice, and Racial Reconciliation Commission to create one group tasked with promoting racial healing, reconciliation, truth telling and pilgrimage. The inclusion of Racial Healing and Pilgrimage as one of the three major areas of focus for the recent capital campaign demonstrates this ongoing commitment.
Bishop Glenda Curry, our 12th and current bishop, successfully guided the diocese through recent challenges. She was ordained in 2021 during the height of COVID-19, a time when the world and the church were grappling with unprecedented upheaval. Under her leadership, the diocese supported parishes in securing available grant funding and fostered a tone of calm resilience that helped sustain our faith communities throughout the pandemic.
The diocese’s commitment to reconciliation is apparent in the way internal disputes have been handled. In 2021, Bishop Curry and other diocesan leaders began meeting with representatives from the Cathedral Church of the Advent to discuss tensions concerning liturgical practices as well as the traditional financial arrangement between the diocese and individual churches. After several months of open and forthright discussions they agreed to resolve those tensions and bring the two groups back into relationship. They acknowledged that theological differences do exist, while also emphasizing the importance of respectful relations between the diocese and the Advent, as well as their shared mission of renewal, collaboration, and mutual respect.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
On June 16, 2022, a nightmare became a reality. An individual attending a potluck supper at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham began shooting at a group of people gathered for the event. Three members of the church —Bart Rainey, Sharon Yeager, and Jane Pounds—were tragically murdered. As the Rev. John Burruss said, the members of Saint Stephen’s who died were following the example of Jesus and his teaching of unconditional love when they invited their killer to dine with them. “They made sure that everyone was welcome at their table,” Burruss said. “It cost them their life.”
The diocese deeply mourned their loss and honored them as martyrs the following month with the adoption of Resolution A226 during General Convention.
In facing the challenges and opportunities of the past 195 years, the diocese has responded with clear vision and faith. We pray that the Episcopal Church in Alabama will continue to grow as we welcome strangers, comfort those in need or trouble, seek the face of Christ, and give praise and thanks to God.
Structure and Reach
The diocese unites 86 parishes across seven convocations, along with two worshipping communities and eight college ministries. Together, these serve 22,515 communicants in good standing (2023). Like dioceses nationwide, COVID-19 significantly impacted our numbers, but we are seeing strong signs of renewal. From 2022 to 2023, our Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) grew by 10.5%. Since 1990, we’ve planted 11 churches. Our newest parish, Riverside Church, was planted in McCalla in 2024 as part of a strategic effort to grow into rapidly expanding areas. In its short life, Riverside has already outgrown one worship space and is quickly outgrowing its current location. We are excited to extend our reach and share the Gospel in new communities.
Find additional information about our structure and reach in the complete diocesan profile, found here.
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