What's it like?

The 150-year-old Diocese of Savannah has about 75,000 Catholics, making up about 3 percent of the general population. There are 81 parishes and missions served by 51 diocesan priests and 20 priests from religious orders.

There are four major cities with more than one Catholic church, though many of our parishes are in rural areas. Some counties in the diocese don't even have a Catholic church!

The Savannah Diocese, along with the smaller but more densely populated Archdiocese of Atlanta, make up the only two Catholic dioceses in Georgia.

Make sure you visit the Diocese of Savannah's Website: www.diosav.org

The earliest Catholic presence in what is now the State of Georgia began with the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the 16th century. For many years the Franciscans maintained a network of mission stations which stretched from St. Augustine to the Savannah River.

The arrival of the British brought an end to the period of Spanish presence. No Catholics were permitted in the new colony of Georgia. After the Revolutionary War small groups moved into the area of Locust Grove, near Augusta, and to Savannah, where the church of St. John the Baptist was established.

Savannah belonged first to the Diocese of Baltimore, and later to the Diocese of Charleston. In 1850 the numbers of Catholics had grown, and a new Diocese of Savannah was formed, taking in the entire State of Georgia and a large part of the State of Florida.

Immigration from Europe and the movement of population from the northern United States southward swelled the Catholic population over the years. In January 1937, the name of the diocese was changed to the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta. It was re-designated with its original name on November 8, 1956, when the northern part of the state became a separate diocese. The Diocese was re-named Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta in 1937, with a cathedral in each city. In 1956 the division became permanent, with Atlanta (later an Archdiocese) taking the northern part of the State, Savannah taking the southern half. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, dedicated in 1876, is the seat of the Diocese of Savannah. Today the Diocese includes 90 counties of the southern part of Georgia. There are 73,649 Catholics.

Immigration from Europe and the movement of population from the northern United States southward swelled the Catholic population over the years. In January 1937, the name of the diocese was changed to the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta. It was re-designated with its original name on November 8, 1956, when the northern part of the state became a separate diocese. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, dedicated in 1876, is the seat of the Diocese of Savannah.

BISHOP

Most Reverend Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM Conv. is the Fourteenth Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah. He was ordained to the priesthood May 5, 1979 in Albany, NY. He was consecrated and installed to the episcopate on October 18, 2011.

SIZE

The Diocese of Savannah comprises 90 counties in south Georgia. It covers 37,038 square miles.

POPULATION

The total population is 2,800,000. Catholics number 73,649.

PARISHES

There are 54 parishes, with a total of 25 missions and mission stations.

PRIESTS

The current number of priests (diocesan and religious) stands at 105 Of these, 90 are serving actively, while 22 priests are in retirement status.

DEACONS

38 men serve the Diocese as members of the permanent diaconate.

RELIGIOUS

We have a total of 98 Sisters and 5 Brothers.

SCHOOLS

There are 5 Catholic high schools and 16 elementary schools serving 6,041 students.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

There are 438 high school students and 6,000 elementary students enrolled in the catechesis/religious education program. A total of 450 students are under Catholic instruction.

HOSPITALS

The Diocese of Savannah has two Catholic hospitals, one each located in the cities of Savannah, Columbus.

CHILD-CARE-CENTER

St. Mary's Home is the residential child-care facility and is located in the city of Savannah.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Nazareth Life Ministries NLM offers pregnancy serves in the middle Georgia area.