New York State was originally a single diocese.  During the nineteenth century, the church began subdividing into separate dioceses, each centering in a different metropolitan area.  When Western New York was established as a separate diocese in 1839 it included Rochester and Syracuse.  Our present geographical boundaries were established in 1931, making the seven western counties around Buffalo the Diocese of Western New York.  The Rt. Rev. Cameron Davis, the first elected bishop of that diocese, was a noted diocesan administrator, chairman of the Church Pension Fund, and a realistic strategist for those difficult years of change during his episcopacy (1931-1948).  Bishop Charles Henry Brent, Bishop Davis' immediate predecessor (1918-1929), was an international ecumenical leader who worked tirelessly for Christian unity; he was a founding member of the World Council of Churches. He was both a pastor and a leader, a man of prayer and a worldly advocate for social justice.  He accepted election in this diocese after declining three previous elections in order to remain as Missionary Bishop to the Philippines. Bishop Brent is commemorated on March 27^th in the calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, and wrote a Collect for Mission in the Book of Common Prayer.

Bishop Lauriston L. Scaife (1948-1969) was a diocesan bishop in the Brent tradition, a noted ecumenical figure and a towering presence whose memory still evokes expressions of awe from those who were confirmed by him.  Bishop Harold Barrett Robinson (1971-1989) presided over the use of a new prayer book and hymnal, the ordination of women, the admission of women to vestries, and the beginning of our training program for vocational deacons, with our first vocational deacons being ordained.  Bishop David C. Bowman (1986-1998) was a skilled administrator and ecumenical leader who led our diocese to a strong sense of cohesion and collegiality among clergy, between the clergy and the bishop, and between congregations and the bishop.

The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison, our current bishop, was consecrated in April of 1999.  His episcopacy has centered on Baptismal Ministry, influenced by the lay theologian Verna Dozier's vision of one church embracing and living into the Dream of God. Under his leadership, several models for congregational leadership and adult formation have been developed in different regions of the diocese, and the Cursillo movement has become a large vibrant community within the diocese. His mission is also reflected in the diversity among those who are in the ordination process for the diaconate and the priesthood, as well as in the design of individualized programs for aspirants with widely different backgrounds. Both Youth Ministry and Outreach have significantly expanded under his leadership.  Bishop Michael ("the Bish" as the youth affectionately call him) always takes part in the annual Senior High Conference, and he attends every youth camp each summer; he also initiated the position of a Diocesan Youth Missioner, who oversees Deanery Youth Missioners and the Youth Commission made up of adult and youth representatives from throughout the diocese. Moreover, in the past ten years, the Diocese has substantially increased our commitment to Our Little Roses Orphanage in Honduras and to our companion diocese in Puerto Rico, our contributions to Episcopal Relief and Development and the Millennium Development Goals, and our participation in the Global Episcopal Ministries Network Conference.  In 2007, Bishop Garrison appointed a Futures Committee that developed a Strategic Plan for Revitalization. Several teams developed out of this effort and continue to explore new models for congregational development and to develop programs for renewing clergy collegiality and diocesan-wide communication.

Consistent with his vision of the ministry of the baptized, Bishop Garrison's leadership style marked a significant departure from historical precedent, and that has generated a profound change in our self-understanding and our sense of community.  Our diocesan history through several bishops had been one of strong, central visionary direction, supported by a staff structure that anticipated clergy needs, responded to a natural desire for clergy collegiality, and offered a participatory role for clergy in planning, discernment, and problem solving.  However, without the resources for the leadership training and the administrative infrastructure necessary for a successful shift to more broadly participatory decision-making, clergy and congregations have frequently floundered, seeking a clearer sense of direction and more consistent oversight.

Indeed, our diocese has faced cultural and economic challenges unforeseen by previous leaders, challenges not unfamiliar to other dioceses.  The Western New York region suffered noteworthy decline during the 1950-1980 period of deindustrialization.  Much of that population loss is accounted for by declines in the region's cities and with a loss of almost 30,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector during this period.  At the same time, since 2000 there has been substantial diversification in the employment base of the region: new "green" industries are emerging in revitalized manufacturing sites, professions in medicine and education are growing, and Buffalo is becoming a national center for the arts.  These changes offer exciting opportunities for innovation and redefinition of our ministries.

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