About the Diocese of Oxford

The diocese of Oxford has an estimated population of 2,149,000. It more or less covers the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, it is the fifth largest diocese in land area (covering over 2,200 square miles) and it has by far the largest number of parishes and churches – 302 benefices, 626 parishes, and 813 churches. Most recent figures show that there are around 55,000 people on the church electoral rolls of the diocese.

There are 265 male and 81 female stipendiary clergy, 247 Associate clergy, around 300 licensed lay ministers (readers) and approximately 40 youth ministers employed by the parishes across the diocese and around 150 curates in training.

The diocese has the largest number of female clergy of any diocese in the Church of England. It also has more associate clergy (male and female) than any other diocese. It has a large number of chaplains in hospital and educational institutions. The diocese has ten honorary assistant bishops, and a very large number of retired clergy, many of whom have permission to officiate in the diocese.

At a time when the Church has difficulties in attracting young people to its services, the diocese has more than 50,000 children attending its schools.

The diocese of Oxford was created in 1542 by Henry VIII, who carved it out of the then vast diocese of Lincoln. The county of Berkshire (as it then was) was transferred from the diocese of Salisbury in 1836 and Buckinghamshire from the diocese of Lincoln in 1845

The diocese's unique combination of buildings, volunteers, voluntary giving and involvement in the lives of the community make it the largest self-funded voluntary organisation in the Thames Valley.

Vision

Our purpose is to create a caring, sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the diocese of Oxford.

As a diocese, we are committed to continuing to work together under the banner ofLiving Faith for the Future.