The Diocese of Jefferson City

2006 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Diocese of Jefferson City.  The diocese was originally created from the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the Diocese of Kansas City and the Diocese of St. Joseph. 

The Diocese of Jefferson City has 95 parishes and 15 missions in 38 counties in central and northern Missouri.  The northern section of the diocese is mostly rural with urban areas focused around Columbia and Jefferson City. 

68 active diocesan priests and eight priests from religious orders serve the nearly 90,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Jefferson City.  Seventy-three women religious from 15 different congregations and two religious brothers also serve in various educational and pastoral ministries.  Within the diocese there are two high schools, 37 elementary schools and four Newman Centers.  Forty-three permanent deacons serve in the diocese along with more than thirty professional lay ministers. 


Important Dates in the History of our Diocese

July 1956: The Diocese of Jefferson City is established

August 1956: Most Reverend Joseph M. Marling, CPPS named first bishop of the diocese

July 1969: Most Reverend Michael F. McAuliffe appointed successor to Marling

1973: Diocesan Pastoral Council begins

1977: First group of permanent deacons in the diocese ordained

1980: Directions 80 initiative launched to cultivate lay leadership in parishes

April 1982: Silver Jubilee Mass at Cathedral of St. Joseph

June 1997: Most Reverend John R. Gaydos appointed bishop

August 2000: Largest Mass in the diocese’s history held at Hearnes Center in Columbia

July 2005: Alphonse J. Schwartze Memorial Catholic Center opens

August 2006: Fiftieth Anniversary Mass in Columbia