The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island is a gathering of 52 Episcopal congregations across the state of Rhode Island served by the Right Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, Jr. and his staff. Bishop Knisely was consecrated the 13th Bishop of Rhode Island in 2012.
The bishop and staff support congregations as they carry out their mission and ministries, providing resources and educational opportunities to encourage spiritual development and outreach in the churches of this diocese, as well as in the greater community. Together, the bishop, clergy and people of the diocese support essential collaborative ministries such as the Church Beyond the Walls, ECC Summer Camp, Hispanic Ministries, ministries on college and university campuses, and more.
The diocese is located in the regional Province of New England also known as Province I. The diocese traces its history back to 1635 when the Rev. William Blackstone’s preached beneath the “Catholic Oak” in Lonsdale, through the American Revolution and to the present day.
The Episcopal Church represents the United States in the Anglican Communion, a worldwide Christian denomination. The center of International Anglicanism is Canterbury, England, the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Episcopal Church comprises approximately 2 million members of 7000 churches throughout all 50 states as well as sixteen countries and 110 dioceses. The current Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is the Most Reverend Sean W. Rowe.
