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Profile of the Diocese

Who we are

The Diocese of Toronto, founded in 1839, is largest diocese in the Anglican Church of Canada by population and membership. About 6.7 million people live here, 376,000 of whom identify as Anglicans. There are about 54,000 people on our parish rolls.

We’re diverse in every way: ethnically, culturally, and by language, experience, church size and theology. There’s a place here for all types of Anglican expression. We’re home to many culturally diverse and language-based congregations, including Chinese, Filipino, French, Hispanic, Japanese and Tamil. Our Anglican communities include parishioners from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, India, the Middle East, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and many other parts of the world.

Liturgically, our Diocese has a wide range of expression, from traditional and contemporary to charismatic, evangelical and Anglo-Catholic. You’ll also find several “fresh expressions” of Church.

Learn more in the 2018 Profile of the Diocese.

Where we are

Our geographical area extends over 26,000 square kilometres, stretching from Mississauga to Brighton and north to Haliburton.

The City of Toronto is home to about 2.9 million people, making it the fourth biggest city in North America by population. It’s considered by many to be the most multicultural city in the world. The Diocese also includes the fastest-growing suburban region in Canada and covers a large rural area.

The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, Anishinabek, Odawa, Mississaugas of the New Credit, Mississaugas of Scugog, Hiawatha, Curve Lake and Alderville First Nations, and the Métis Nation. It was the subject of many treaties and covenants. Today, Toronto is home to Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. We are grateful for the opportunity to gather on this territory and work in this community, and we commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

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Diocesan resources & ministries

The Diocesan Centre is next to St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto. It houses about 35 full- and part-time administrative, program and support staff whose work supports the Bishop of Toronto, the College of Bishops, and Synod Council and its committees in leading the Diocese.

The organization and ministries within the Diocesan Centre reflect the mandate of Synod Council and its committees.

Theological education

Two of Canada’s finest Anglican theological institutions lie within the Diocese. Both are members of the Toronto School of Theology, an ecumenical centre for theological education in the University of Toronto.

Religious communities

Within the Diocese of Toronto are two independent religious communities. The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine and the Order of the Holy Cross provide many spiritual resources and link us to the international Anglican community of the religious.

Related organizations

Related institutions include Anglican Church Women, the Diocesan Girls’ Choir Camp, Camp Couchiching, LOFT Community Services (Anglican Houses), Moorelands (Downtown Church Workers) and Missions to Seafarers.