Our History 

The Rt. Rev. Edward J. Konieczny, consecrated Diocesan Bishop on September 15, 2007, assumed leadership of a vital and strong diocese. Covering the entire state, the Diocese of Oklahoma comprises over 20,000 baptized members and approximately 150 resident clergy in its seventy-two congregations.

Outreach is a priority in Oklahoma. The Diocese has a long history of support in a variety of ministries throughout the state addressing the needs of people and communities. Ministries include feeding programs, afterschool mentoring, mission camps and a very active prison ministry.

Multi-cultural ministry is also a priority in the Diocese of Oklahoma. From the days of The Rev. David Pendelton Oakerhater, deacon and first Native American to be included in the Church Calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, Oklahoma has inherited an active ministry to American Indians in the state, primarily through Oakerhater Episcopal Indian Ministries Center in Watonga. In recent years Oklahoma has also assumed a leadership role in ministry to the growing Hispanic community in the Oklahoma City region through Santa Maria Virgen Mission in Southwest Oklahoma City.

There is a long tradition of effective youth work in the diocese. A diocesan summer camp program at St. Crispin's Conference Center provides nurturing, education, and fun for young people from grade three through high school. There are Episcopal schools throughout the diocese which serve children in preschool through High School. 

Episcopal residential facilities for the elderly include Ardmore Village in Ardmore and St. Simeon's in Tulsa. In 1994, St. Simeon's completed a five million dollar state-of-the-art Alzheimer's unit. And in that same time period, Ardmore Village completed a major expansion of facilities.

The Diocese of Oklahoma is recognized nationally as a leader in the renewal of the diaconate and for its emphasis on the shared baptismal ministry of all Christians. Although young in years (celebrating its seventieth anniversary as a diocese in 2007), it is one of the most financially sound in the country. Through prudent stewardship, it has been able to invest significantly in special ministries, including strong campus chaplaincies at five universities throughout the state. The diocesan budget for 2009 is over four million dollars.