The Diocese of Quincy

From Anglican Realignment to the Heartland: The Formation and Story of the Diocese of Quincy

In the previous installment, we explored how Anglicanism moved from the English Reformation through the American colonies, ultimately culminating in the modern Anglican realignment and the formation of the ACNA.

But the story does not end at the continental level. Anglicanism is not just shaped by global movements—it is nurtured by local communities, regional faithfulness, and the steady witness of dioceses that embody the Anglican tradition in specific places.

One of the most remarkable of these stories is that of the Diocese of Quincy, a diocese formed in the 19th century whose identity would eventually place it at the very heart of the Anglican realignment. Its journey stretches from colonial Anglican beginnings to missionary expansion across the Midwest, and from the prairies of Illinois to the ACNA today.

This is the story of how Anglicanism traveled from the Atlantic shore to the Mississippi River, and how the Diocese of Quincy took its place in the history of the Church.

The Diocese of Quincy: A Legacy of Faith, Mission, and Growth

The Diocese of Quincy is part of a rich and vibrant Anglican story—one that reaches back to the very earliest presence of Anglicanism in North America. Its roots are woven into the spiritual and cultural history of the American Midwest, shaped by missionaries, settlers, and clergy who carried the Gospel westward with courage and creativity.

This post explores that remarkable journey—from the colonial Church of England to the prairies of Illinois—leading to the founding, growth, and ongoing mission of the Diocese of Quincy.

Anglicanism Comes to North America

Long before Illinois was settled, the Anglican tradition had already laid deep foundations on American soil.

When English explorers and colonists arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries, they brought the Church of England with them. Anglican worship was celebrated:

• on the California coast in 1579 during Sir Francis Drake’s voyage

• at Jamestown in 1607 with Rev. Robert Hunt

• throughout the English colonies as settlements grew

Anglican parishes soon dotted the eastern seaboard, and clergy regularly crossed the Atlantic to serve the spiritual needs of the colonies.

Revolution and Reorganization

The American Revolution fundamentally changed this relationship. Once political ties to England were severed, the Church of England in America reorganized as the Protestant Episcopal Church, adopting:

• a constitution,

• representative governance,

• and state-based dioceses.

Yet spiritual continuity remained intact. American Anglicans retained apostolic succession, secured through both English and Scottish bishops. When William White was elected and later consecrated bishop, he became the first American “Prime Bishop,” ensuring the continuity of historic Anglican ministry.

Crossing the Mountains: Anglicanism Expands Westward

As pioneers moved westward through:

• the Appalachian Mountains,

• the Northwest Territory,

• the Louisiana Purchase,

• and eventually across the Mississippi River,

they brought their churches and clergy with them.

Anglican worship moved with the frontier. Where settlers established towns, the Church soon followed with mission stations, schools, and parishes.

This westward movement eventually carried Anglicanism into Illinois.

Anglicanism Arrives in Illinois

Illinois—settled first from the south and then upward along rivers, roads, and railways—became fertile ground for Anglican communities. Some of the earliest organized parishes were:

• Jacksonville — the first parish in the region

• Rushville — the second

• Peoria — which soon became a central hub of church life

These parishes united in 1835 to form the Diocese of Illinois, with the pioneering and energetic Bishop Philander Chase as its first bishop.

Bishop Chase and the Midwest Mission

Philander Chase, formerly Bishop of Ohio, was one of the great missionary bishops of the American frontier. A member of a prominent New Hampshire family (and uncle to Salmon P. Chase, Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary), he:

• founded churches and mission stations,

• trained clergy,

• and established Jubilee College, one of the earliest centers of education and ministry in the Midwest.

Today, the remains of Jubilee College still stand as an Illinois State Historic Site—a reminder of the Diocese’s early missionary spirit.

Founding the Diocese of Quincy (1877)

By the late 19th century, the rapid growth of Anglican parishes in Illinois made it necessary to divide the original statewide diocese.

On October 11, 1877, during the General Convention in Boston, the Diocese of Illinois was formally divided into three new dioceses:

• The Diocese of Quincy

• The Diocese of Springfield

• The Diocese of Chicago (initially still called “Illinois”)

Quincy, located on the Mississippi River, became the headquarters of the new diocese.

Diocesan Boundaries

The Diocese of Quincy encompasses the region:

• between the Illinois River and the Mississippi River

• south of Whiteside and Lee Counties

• west of LaSalle and Livingston Counties

In more recent years, Woodford County was transferred from Chicago into Quincy.

A Cathedral in Peoria

Although the diocese was originally headquartered in Quincy, the diocesan cathedral was later moved to Peoria, where it remains today.

Growth, Challenges, and Changing Times

In its early decades, the Diocese of Quincy experienced widespread growth. Parishes sprang up in:

• Quincy

• Peoria

• Rock Island

• Moline

• Galesburg

Smaller towns with English immigrant communities also requested clergy, leading to missions from Pittsfield in the south to Princeton in the north.

The Railroads and Westward Expansion

After the Civil War, the rapid expansion of railroads significantly shaped where new mission churches were planted. Many communities thrived with new settlers and industry.

20th-Century Transitions

As the rural Midwest faced demographic shifts—declining populations, farm consolidation, reduced railway influence, and expanding metropolitan areas—the Diocese adapted. Some towns dwindled, while cities grew through industrialization and immigration, creating new opportunities for outreach and ministry.

Through every season of expansion and contraction, the Diocese of Quincy remained committed to the essentials of Anglican life:

• worship,

• discipleship,

• education,

• and mission.

Education as a Diocesan Priority

From its earliest days, the Diocese emphasized Christian education and formation.

Notable institutions included:

• Jubilee College — founded by Bishop Chase as a frontier center for ministry and education

• St. Mary’s School for Girls (Knoxville) — a respected finishing school

• St. Paul’s Cathedral School (Peoria) — a primary school operated in the mid-20th century

Education—of clergy, children, and laity—has always been a central focus of Anglican life in western Illinois.

Bishops Who Shaped the Diocese

Over its history, the Diocese of Quincy has been led by faithful and formative bishops:

1. Bishop Alexander Burgess – Quincy I

2. Bishop Frederick William Taylor – Quincy II

3. Bishop Edward Fawcett – Quincy III

4. Bishop William Leopold Essex – Quincy IV

5. Bishop Francis Lickfield – Quincy V

6. Bishop Donald James Parsons – Quincy VI

7. Bishop Edward Harding MacBurney – Quincy VII

8. Bishop Keith Lynn Ackerman – Quincy VIII

The first four bishops resided in Quincy; later bishops headquartered in Peoria.

Their tenures varied—Bishop Taylor served only two years, while Bishop Fawcett shepherded the diocese for 31 years. Most of Quincy’s bishops served until their retirement or death, leaving a legacy of devotion, pastoral care, and sacramental leadership.

Today, Bishop Ackerman remains a beloved and respected figure in Anglican life, enjoying retirement while still contributing actively to the wider Church.

A Living Tradition in a Changing World

Today, the Diocese of Quincy stands firmly in the historic Anglican tradition:

• rooted in Scripture,

• shaped by sacramental worship,

• committed to mission and discipleship,

• and strengthened by its unique Midwestern story.

From its origins among frontier settlers to its place within the ACNA, Quincy continues to proclaim the unchanging Gospel in the midst of cultural, economic, and social change.

What began with explorers and settlers has become a living, thriving community of believers who embody the enduring truth that the Church grows wherever Christ is faithfully proclaimed.