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Diocese of Western Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Ecclesiastical province | Province I |
| Statistics | |
| Congregations | 50 (2023) |
| Members | 10,844 (2023) |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church |
| Established | November 10, 1901 |
| Cathedral | Christ Church Cathedral |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Douglas John Fisher |
| Map | |
 Location of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts | |
| Website | |
| www.diocesewma.org | |
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts is thediocese of theEpiscopal Church in the United States of America in the five western counties ofMassachusetts. Formed from a division of theEpiscopal Diocese of Massachusetts, it was officially recognized at the organizing convention of November 10, 1901. At a special meeting on January 22, 1902,Alexander Hamilton Vinton, Rector of All Saints Church inWorcester, Massachusetts, was elected firstdiocesan bishop.
The first twoChurch of England parishes in what would become the diocese were started inGreat Barrington in 1762 andLanesborough in 1767 on theHousatonic River, at first served by priests from theEpiscopal Diocese of Connecticut.
There are 50 congregations in the diocese. TheEpiscopal See is in the city ofSpringfield, Massachusetts. Since 1929, thecathedral has beenChrist Church Cathedral, which was built in 1876. On November 15, 2025, the Rev.Miguelina Howell was elected diocesan bishop, pending completion of a canonical consent process.
After the February, 2018Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, on July 12, 2018, a resolution proposed by Western Massachusetts Episcopal BishopDouglas John Fisher on a national plan to invest in firearms manufacturers and retailers as a form ofshareholder advocacy was approved by theHouse of Bishops during the 79th meeting of theGeneral Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America in Austin, Texas.[1] The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts purchased 200 shares, the minimum holding needed to qualify to formally submit shareholder resolutions, ofSpringfield, Massachusetts-based firearms manufacturerAmerican Outdoor Brands Corporation (AOBC), the parent company ofSmith & Wesson.[2] The Diocese partnered with theAdrian Dominican Sisters on a shareholder resolution asking AOBC to report to investors regarding the steps they are taking to reducegun violence. On February 8, 2019 AOBC released a 20-page report, which said, in summary, "AOBC’s reputation among firearm buyers and Second Amendment supporters is more critical to the success of the Company and the enhancement of shareholder value than its reputation among industry detractors and special interest groups with a political agenda."[3][4][5]
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