History of the Diocese

Established in 1877, the Diocese of Peoria covers 16,933 square miles and 26 counties. It touches the eastern and western borders of the State and shares borders with three other Illinois dioceses (Joliet, Rockford, and Springfield). The diocese has 155 parishes and 145 priests. The diocese has had nine bishops in its history. Bishop John Spalding served from 1877 to 1908; Bishop Edmund M. Dunne from 1909 to 1929; Bishop Joseph H. L. Schlarman from 1930 to 1951; Bishop William E. Cousins, D.D. from 1952 to 1958; Bishop John Baptist Franz, D.D. from 1959 to 1970; Bishop Edward W. O’Rourke, D.D. from 1971 to 1990; Bishop John J. Myers, D.D., J.C.D. from 1990 to 2001; Bishop Daniel R. Jenky C.S.C. from 2002 to 2022; and Bishop Louis Tylka, who began his tenure as bishop in March 2022 and serves to this day.

More information on the history of the Diocese can be found at: https://cdop.org/diocesan-history/