About Diocese of Peoria
The Diocese of Peoria (Latin: Diœcesis Peoriensis) is a Latin-rite Catholic diocese covering 26 counties across central Illinois, from the Mississippi River to the Indiana border. Erected by Pope Blessed Pius IX on February 12, 1875, it is a suffragan of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Chicago and is currently led by the ninth Bishop of Peoria, Most Reverend Louis Tylka. The mother church is the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, and the diocese is internationally known as the home diocese and burial place of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, whose cause for beatification is actively promoted from Peoria.
- Bishop
- Louis Tylka
- Established
- 1875
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (607 N.E. Madison Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603)
- Territory
- 26 counties in central Illinois: Bureau, DeWitt, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, Livingston, Logan, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Piatt, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Vermilion, Warren, and Woodford — extending from Ottawa and the Quad Cities in the north and west to Lincoln and Danville in the south and east.
- Parishes
- 156 parishes (pre-Growing Disciples; consolidating to 75 parishes with 127 worship sites between July 2024 and 2027)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Chicago (Ecclesiastical Province of Chicago)
Diocesan History
The Diocese of Peoria was erected on February 12, 1875 by Pope Pius IX, taking 23 counties from the Diocese of Chicago. After Fr. Michael J. Hurley declined the appointment, John Lancaster Spalding was named first bishop. The diocese grew with the 1880 addition of five counties (La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Henry, Rock Island), lost Ford and Iroquois counties in 1948 when the Diocese of Joliet was created, and today serves 26 counties of central Illinois. Nine bishops — Spalding, Dunne, Schlarman, Cousins, Franz, O'Rourke, Myers, Jenky, and Tylka — have shepherded the see, with each generation responding to the pastoral needs of central Illinois: building schools and hospitals, weathering the Cherry Mine disaster, implementing Vatican II, fostering priestly vocations, and pursuing the canonization of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
- Erected February 12, 1875 by Pope Pius IX
- First bishop: John Lancaster Spalding (1877–1908)
- First bishop-elect Michael J. Hurley declined and served as Vicar General
- Territory expanded in 1880 with five counties from Chicago
- Lost Ford and Iroquois counties in 1948 to the new Diocese of Joliet
Bishop Louis Tylka — Ninth Bishop of Peoria
The Most Reverend Louis Tylka is the ninth Bishop of Peoria. Born May 26, 1970 in Harvey, Illinois, he is the youngest of six children. He attended Niles College Seminary of Loyola University Chicago, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola (1992), then studied at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary, where he received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (1995) and Master of Divinity (1996). Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin on May 18, 1996, he served as associate pastor in Orland Park and Winnetka before becoming Pastor of Mater Christi in North Riverside (2004–2014) and then Pastor of St. Julie Billiart in Tinley Park (2014–2020). Pope Francis named him Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria on May 11, 2020; he was ordained and installed at the Cathedral of St. Mary on July 23, 2020. He automatically succeeded Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., on March 3, 2022.
- Born May 26, 1970 in Harvey, Illinois
- Ordained priest May 18, 1996 for the Archdiocese of Chicago
- Appointed Coadjutor Bishop May 11, 2020; installed July 23, 2020
- Succeeded as ninth Bishop of Peoria on March 3, 2022
- Launched the Growing Disciples pastoral planning initiative in 2024
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
The mother church of the diocese, the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, is a Gothic Revival landmark at 607 N.E. Madison Avenue in Peoria. Designed by Chicago architect Casper Mehler in the style of New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral, the cornerstone was laid June 28, 1885 by Bishop Spalding and the building was completed in 1889. The exterior is Anamosa Limestone; twin spires rise to 230 feet. The cathedral is a contributing property in the North Side Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses the marble tomb of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, whose remains were transferred from New York in 2019 after a lengthy court battle. A major Daprato Rigali Studios renovation was completed in 2014–2016.
- Address: 607 N.E. Madison Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603
- Phone: (309) 673-6317
- Architect: Casper Mehler of Chicago
- Groundbreaking June 28, 1885; completed 1889
- Rector: Very Rev. William Miller; linked parish: Sacred Heart Parish (Peoria)
Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — Cause for Canonization
The Diocese of Peoria is the official sponsor of the cause for canonization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979), the famed Catholic televangelist, author, and Peoria native who was ordained a priest of the diocese in 1919. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky opened Sheen's cause in 2002; Pope Benedict XVI declared Sheen Venerable on June 28, 2012 after recognizing his heroic virtue. Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to Sheen's intercession — the survival of James Fulton Engstrom, born without a pulse or breath for 61 minutes in 2010 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria — on July 6, 2019. Sheen's remains were transferred from St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York to St. Mary's Cathedral on June 27, 2019, where he is entombed in a marble monument at a side altar dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. A beatification ceremony first scheduled for December 21, 2019 was postponed; Bishop Tylka continues to advocate for Sheen's beatification.
- Declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on June 28, 2012
- Miracle approved by Pope Francis on July 6, 2019
- Remains reinterred at St. Mary's Cathedral on June 27, 2019
- Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria in 1919
- Cause officially opened by Bishop Jenky in 2002
Parishes and 'Growing Disciples' Pastoral Planning
The diocese is home to 156 parishes across 26 counties, served by 126 active diocesan priests. In May 2024 Bishop Louis Tylka announced 'Growing Disciples,' a pastoral planning initiative responding to priest shortages and population decline. Under the plan, 12 parishes will merge into neighboring parishes and 107 parishes will merge to create 38 new parishes, reshaping the diocese into 75 parishes served by 71 pastors at 127 worship sites. Implementation began July 1, 2024 and will continue through 2027.
- 156 parishes to be consolidated into 75 parishes with 127 worship sites
- 12 parishes merging into neighboring parishes; 107 parishes merging to create 38 new parishes
- 71 pastors will lead the new parish configuration
- Implementation: July 1, 2024 through 2027
- Parish directory searchable at cdop.org/parishes
Heart of Peoria Catholic Community
The Heart of Peoria Catholic Community is the linked-parish family that includes the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception together with Sacred Heart Church (1878), St. Joseph Church (1879), and the cathedral (1846). Together they form a faith community radiating throughout the historic North Side of Peoria, with active outreach including a kitchen feeding program for the hungry. The community operates from Sacred Heart Parish, 504 Fulton Street, Peoria.
- Three worship sites in historic Peoria neighborhoods
- Sacred Heart Church established 1878
- St. Joseph Church established 1879
- Cathedral established 1846
- Outreach kitchen feeds hundreds
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria, 'inspired by Christ's love and care,' upholds the dignity of each person through direct service, formation in Catholic Social Teaching, and advocacy for a just society. A signature ministry is 'St. Nicholas Charity on Wheels,' which delivers bags of toiletries, household supplies, bibles, rosaries, and holy cards to those in need throughout the diocese, while taking prayer requests and offering Masses for recipients.
- Phone: (309) 966-4488
- St. Nicholas Charity on Wheels serves all 26 counties
- Recipients receive prayer support and sacramental items
- Coordinates services by county through local offices
Catholic Schools
The Office of Catholic Schools coordinates elementary and secondary schools recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. Dr. Jerry Sanderson, Ed.D. serves as Superintendent of Schools and Dr. Susie Cicciarelli, Ed.D. as Associate Superintendent. The diocese's John Lancaster Spalding Scholarship provides tuition assistance so more students can attend Catholic schools. Schools are described as offering rigorous academics alongside faith formation that prepares students to be 'everything God made them to be — academically, socially, and spiritually.'
- Superintendent: Dr. Jerry Sanderson, Ed.D.
- Associate Superintendent: Dr. Susie Cicciarelli, Ed.D.
- John Lancaster Spalding Scholarship for tuition assistance
- All schools recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education
Office of Priestly Vocations and Emmaus House
The Office of Priestly Vocations, led by Vocation Director for Recruitment Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck and Vocation Director for Formation Fr. Patrick Henehan, accompanies men discerning priesthood and supports seminarians. The diocese operates Emmaus House as 'a place of rest, fraternity, and prayer for priests and seminarians.' The nationally emulated Emmaus Days discernment retreats (founded by Bishop Myers in 1987) combine prayer, sacraments, swimming, kickball, and fraternity to help young men encounter God. St. Thérèse of Lisieux is patroness of vocations; a downloadable novena to her is offered on the vocations page.
- Vocation Director for Recruitment: Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck
- Vocation Director for Formation: Fr. Patrick Henehan
- Emmaus Days retreats for young men (founded 1987)
- Emmaus House for priests and seminarians
- Patroness of Vocations: St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Catholic Cemeteries
There are over 100 Catholic cemeteries across the 26 counties of the diocese. A Catholic cemetery is described by the diocese as 'a sacred place set aside by the local bishop' and the resting place of the baptized. Non-Catholics may also be buried in Catholic cemeteries, and the rite of committal includes a blessing of the burial place. Seven Cemetery Associations coordinate operations across the diocese.
- Bloomington-Normal Catholic Cemetery Association
- Resurrection Catholic Cemetery Association of Danville
- St. Joseph Cemetery Association (Farmer City and Galesburg)
- Catholic Cemetery Association of Pekin
- Catholic Cemetery Association of Peoria (www.ccapeo.org)
- Calvary Cemetery Association of Rock Island
Spalding Pastoral Center and Chancery
The diocesan offices are housed in the Spalding Pastoral Center at 419 N.E. Madison Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603, named for the diocese's founding bishop. The Chancery includes the Vicar General, Msgr. Philip D. Halfacre; Chancellor/Director of Curia Matt Faley; Diocesan Attorney Patricia Gibson, J.D., J.C.L.; and support staff. The Curia provides pastoral guidance, evangelization resources, and administrative assistance to parishes, schools, and apostolates. Other offices include Development & Stewardship, Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Archives & Records, Catholic Mutual Group (risk management), and Property.
- Address: 419 N.E. Madison Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603
- Phone: (309) 671-1550; Fax: (309) 671-1579
- Vicar General: Msgr. Philip D. Halfacre
- Chancellor/Director of Curia: Matt Faley
- Diocesan Attorney: Patricia Gibson, J.D., J.C.L.
