The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, also known as the Episcopal Church in Western Washington, is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in Washington state west of the

Cascade Range The Cascade Range or Cascades is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, ...

. It is one of 17 dioceses and an area mission that make up Province 8. The diocese started as a missionary district in 1853 and was formally established in 1910. It comprises 25,490 members in 92 congregations. The name of the diocese refers to the region of "Olympia" and is not related to the state capital

Olympia The name Olympia may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Olympia'' (1938 film), by Leni Riefenstahl, documenting the Berlin-hosted Olympic Games * ''Olympia'' (1998 film), about a Mexican soap opera star who pursues a career as an athlet ...

. The see city is Seattle, with St. Mark's, Seattle the cathedral church of the diocese. The diocese is led by the Right Reverend Greg Rickel, the 8th Bishop of Olympia.

Eighth bishop elected

On May 12, 2007, the Rev. Gregory Rickel, 43, rector of St. James' Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas, was elected 8th bishop of Olympia. He was elected on the third ballot with four others on the ballot, including Nedi Rivera, then the diocese's suffragan bishop. Rickel was confirmed by a majority of bishops with jurisdiction (mostly diocesan bishops) and standing committees, his consecration was on September 15, 2007 at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Previous bishops

These are the bishops who have served the territory now known as the Diocese of Olympia:

Missionary Bishops

Bishops of Oregon and Washington territories

Thomas Fielding Scott Thomas Fielding Scott (March 12, 1807July 14, 1867) was the first missionary Episcopal Bishop of Washington and Oregon territories. Early life Scott was born in Iredell County, North Carolina, the son of James Scott and Rebekkah Worke Scott. ...

(1854–1867) # Benjamin Wistar Morris (1868–1880)

Bishops of Washington state

John A. Paddock John Adams Paddock (January 19, 1825 – March 4, 1894) was the first missionary bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, serving from 1880 to 1894. Early life and education John A. Paddock was born in Norwich, Connecticut on January 19, 182 ...

(1880–1894) # William Morris Barker (1894–1901) #

Frederick W. Keator Frederick W. Keator (October 22, 1855 – January 31, 1924) was an American lawyer who became an Episcopal priest and the third missionary bishop of Washington state, which encompassed that portion of Washington State west of the Cascade Range. I ...

(1902–1910)

Diocesan Bishops

(1910–1924) # S. Arthur Huston (1925–1947) #

Stephen F. Bayne, Jr. Stephen Fielding Bayne Jr. (May 21, 1908January 18, 1974) was bishop of the Diocese of Olympia in The Episcopal Church and the first Executive Officer of the Anglican Communion. Early life and ministry Bayne was born on May 21, 1908. He was e ...

(1947–1960) #

William F. Lewis William Fisher Lewis (May 15, 1902 - September 6, 1964) was an Episcopal prelate who served as Bishop of Nevada from 1942 to 1959 and Bishop of Olympia from 1960 to 1964. Education Lewis was born on May 15, 1902, in Elmsford, New York, the son ...

(1960–1964) # Ivol Ira Curtis (1964–1976) # Robert H. Cochrane (1976–1989) # Vincent Waydell Warner, Jr. (1990–2007)
Sanford Zangwill Kaye Hampton (Assisting)
Bavi Edna Rivera, Suffragan Bishop (2006–2009) #

Gregory Rickel Gregory Harold Rickel (born June 27, 1963) is an American Episcopal bishop. From 2007 to 2022, he was the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. He was consecrated on September 15, 2007. Bishop Rickel announced his intent to resign the ...

(2007–present)

Huston Camp and Conference Center

The Diocese owns a summer camp located in

Gold Bar, WA Gold Bar is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is located on the Skykomish River between Sultan and Index, connected by U.S. Route 2. The population was 2,403 at the 2020 census. History The area around modern-day Gold ...

next to the Wallace Falls State Park. Director Bill Tubbs for the last 20 years has overseen operation of both the Conference and Summer Camp seasons."Huston Camp and Conference Center Website"

Huston Camp and Conference Center Huston may refer to: Places United States * Huston Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania *Huston Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania *Huston Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania People with given name *Huston Quin, former mayor of Louisville ...

, August 3, 2007

References

External links

Official Web site of the Episcopal ChurchEpiscopal Diocese of Olympia websiteSt. Mark's Episcopal CathedralHuston Camp and Conference Center website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olympia

Christianity in Washington (state) Christian organizations established in 1910 1910 establishments in Washington (state) Province 8 of the Episcopal Church (United States)