Catholic Diocese of Savannah

The Diocese of Savannah was established July 19, 1850. At that time, its territory extended over the entire state of Georgia, and included only six parishes, with a total of about 5,000 Catholics. After the Civil War, the Benedictines and other religious communities established missions in the area.

Diocesan Demographics

Immigration from Europe and the movement of population from the northern United States southward swelled the Catholic population over the years. In January 1937, the name of the diocese was changed to the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta. It was re-designated with its original name on November 8, 1956, when the northern part of the state became a separate diocese. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, dedicated in 1876, is the seat of the Diocese of Savannah.

Most Reverend J. Kevin Boland is the bishop of the Diocese of Savannah. He was ordained to the priesthood June 14, 1959 and was appointed to the see of Savannah during the same year. He was consecrated and installed to the episcopate on April 18, 1995.

The Diocese of Savannah comprises 90 counties in south Georgia. It covers 37,038 square miles.

The total population is 2,800,000. Catholics number 73,649.

There are 54 parishes, with a total of 25 missions and mission stations.

The current number of priests (diocesan and religious) stands at 105 Of these, 90 are serving actively, while 22 priests are in retirement status.

38 men serve the Diocese as members of the permanent diaconate.

We have a total of 98 Sisters and 5 Brothers.

There are 5 Catholic high schools and 16 elementary schools serving 6,041 students.

There are 438 high school students and 6,000 elementary students enrolled in the catechesis/religious education program. A total of 450 students are under Catholic instruction.

The Diocese of Savannah has two Catholic hospitals, one each located in the cities of Savannah, Columbus.

St. Mary's Home is the residential child-care facility and is located in the city of Savannah.

Nazareth Life Ministries NLM offers pregnancy serves in the middle Georgia area.