Archdiocese of Atlanta

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Stored: Archdiocese of Atlanta


Diocese: Archdiocese of Atlanta
Status: Active
Rite:
Type: Archdiocese
Ecclesiastical Province: Province of Atlanta
Suffragan Dioceses: Diocese of Charleston, Diocese of Savannah, Diocese of Raleigh, Diocese of Charlotte
Metropolitan Archdiocese:
Country: United States
Region: Georgia (U.S. state)
Bishop: Gregory J. Hartmayer
Website: https://archatl.com
Newspaper: https://georgiabulletin.org
Catholic Percentage: 12.0%
Catholic Elementary Schools: 18
Catholic High Schools: 6
Deaneries: 10
Priests: 200
Existence: 1956–
Predecessor Diocese: Diocese of Savannah
Successor Diocese:
Catholic Hospitals: 3
Rating: 3.0

The Archdiocese of Atlanta, a Latin Rite Archdiocese, is an active metropolitan see encompassing 69 counties in northern and central Georgia in the United States. Established as a diocese in 1956 by Pope Pius XII and elevated to an archdiocese in 1962, it is led by Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer as of 2020. As the center of the Province of Atlanta, it oversees a vibrant Catholic community of over 1.2 million, with 102 parishes and 15 missions. A notable aspect is its National Catholic Conference on Restorative Justice, hosted in 2025, highlighting its commitment to social justice initiatives.[1]

Establishment

The Archdiocese of Atlanta was established as the Diocese of Atlanta on July 2, 1956, by Pope Pius XII, separating 71 counties in northern Georgia from the Diocese of Savannah. It was elevated to an archdiocese on February 10, 1962, becoming the metropolitan see for the Province of Atlanta, which includes Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.[2][3][4]

History

Early Years

Founded in 1956 under Bishop Francis E. Hyland, the diocese initially served a small Catholic population in a Protestant-dominated region. The elevation to an archdiocese in 1962 under Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan marked its growing importance, with the Cathedral of Christ the King as its mother church.[5]

Modern Era

The archdiocese has seen rapid growth due to migration and economic development in metro Atlanta, reaching approximately 1.2 million Catholics by 2025. It has established 12 parishes and 7 missions since 2010, ordained 71 priests and 172 deacons, and expanded Catholic education significantly.[6][7]

Geography

The Archdiocese of Atlanta spans 69 counties in northern and central Georgia, including:

It is the metropolitan see of the Province of Atlanta.[8][9]

Mother Church

Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, a Gothic Revival structure dedicated in 1939, serves as the archdiocese’s mother church. It is a prominent spiritual and cultural center, hosting major liturgical events.[10]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Gregory J. Hartmayer has served as archbishop since May 6, 2020. A Conventual Franciscan, he focuses on education and restorative justice initiatives.[11][12]

Auxiliary Bishops

  • Bernard E. Shlesinger III, appointed July 19, 2017, oversees vocations and seminarian formation.
  • Joel M. Konzen, appointed April 3, 2018, focuses on education and administration.
  • John N. Tran, appointed January 25, 2022, supports multicultural ministries.[5]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Francis E. Hyland 1956–1961 First bishop; retired.
Paul J. Hallinan 1962–1968 First archbishop; died in office.
Thomas A. Donnellan 1968–1987 Died in office.
Eugene A. Marino 1988–1990 Resigned.
James P. Lyke 1991–1993 Died in office.
John F. Donoghue 1993–2004 Retired.
Wilton D. Gregory 2005–2019 Transferred to Archdiocese of Washington.

[5]

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The Archdiocese of Atlanta maintains a balanced approach (rating: 3.0). It offers occasional Latin Masses in select parishes (rating: 3), promotes both traditional teachings like pro-life advocacy and progressive outreach such as immigration and restorative justice programs (rating: 3), and is led by Archbishop Hartmayer, who takes a neutral stance emphasizing unity (rating: 3).[13][14]

Statistics

The archdiocese covers 21,445 square miles (55,542 km²), serves approximately 1,200,000 registered Catholics across 102 parishes and 15 missions, and has a total population of about 10,000,000.[15][16]

Religious Communities

Jesuits

The Jesuits operate schools and support parish ministries. Address: 3130 Pharr Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. Jesuits[17]

Sisters of Mercy

The Sisters of Mercy manage healthcare and educational programs. Address: 1450 Meriwether St NW, Atlanta, GA 30310. Sisters of Mercy[17]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in Archdiocese of Atlanta
Archdiocese of Atlanta
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

The Archdiocese of Atlanta serves 102 parishes and 15 missions across 10 deaneries, covering northern and central Georgia. It includes diverse parishes with Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean-language Masses.[18][19]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The archdiocese manages 24 schools:

School Name City Type Website
Blessed Trinity Catholic High School Roswell High School Blessed Trinity
Christ the King School Atlanta Elementary Christ the King
Holy Redeemer Catholic School Johns Creek Elementary Holy Redeemer
Holy Spirit Preparatory School Atlanta High School Holy Spirit
Immaculate Heart of Mary School Atlanta Elementary Immaculate Heart
Marist School Atlanta High School Marist
Notre Dame Academy Duluth Elementary Notre Dame
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School Fayetteville High School Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of the Assumption School Atlanta Elementary Our Lady of the Assumption
Queen of Angels Catholic School Roswell Elementary Queen of Angels
St. Benedict Catholic School Johns Creek Elementary St. Benedict
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School Kennesaw Elementary St. Catherine
St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School Lilburn Elementary St. John Neumann
St. John the Evangelist School Hapeville Elementary St. John the Evangelist
St. Joseph Catholic School Marietta Elementary St. Joseph
St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School Sandy Springs Elementary St. Jude
St. Mary’s Academy Fayetteville Elementary St. Mary’s
St. Peter Claver Regional School Decatur Elementary St. Peter Claver
St. Pius X Catholic High School Atlanta High School St. Pius X
St. Thomas More School Decatur Elementary St. Thomas More
Transfiguration Catholic School Marietta Elementary Transfiguration
Pinecrest Academy Cumming Elementary Pinecrest
St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic School Cumming Elementary St. Brendan
Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School Athens High School Monsignor Donovan

[20][21]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta provides immigration services, refugee resettlement, and food assistance, serving over 40,000 people annually.[22]

Notable Events or Figures

  • In September 2025, the archdiocese hosted the National Catholic Conference on Restorative Justice at Emory University, promoting healing and reconciliation.
  • Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, who served from 2005 to 2019, was the first African-American cardinal in the U.S., appointed in 2020.[23][24]

References

  1. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/archatl/
  2. ↑ "History". https://archatl.com/about/history. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  3. ↑ https://archatl.com/about/history/
  4. ↑ https://archatl.com/?s=)[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/datla.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Archdiocese of Atlanta". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/datla.html. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  6. ↑ "History". https://archatl.com/about/history. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  7. ↑ https://archatl.com/about/archbishop-and-bishops/
  8. ↑ "Find a Parish". https://archatl.com/parishes. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  9. ↑ https://archatl.com/parishes/find-a-parish/
  10. ↑ "Cathedral History". https://cathedralctk.com/history. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  11. ↑ "Archbishop and Bishops". https://archatl.com/archbishop-and-bishops. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  12. ↑ https://archatl.com/about/archbishop-and-bishops/
  13. ↑ "About Us". https://archatl.com/about. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  14. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/archatl/
  15. ↑ "Archdiocesan Statistics". https://archatl.com/about/statistics. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  16. ↑ https://archatl.com/about/archbishop-and-bishops/
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Religious Communities". https://archatl.com/offices/religious-communities. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  18. ↑ "Find a Parish". https://archatl.com/parishes. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  19. ↑ https://archatl.com/parishes/find-a-parish/
  20. ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://archatl.com/schools. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  21. ↑ https://archatl.com/offices/catholic-schools/message-from-the-archbishop/
  22. ↑ "Our Services". https://catholiccharitiesatlanta.org. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  23. ↑ "Restorative Justice Conference". https://georgiabulletin.org/news/2025/09/restorative-justice-conference. Retrieved 2025-06-05. 
  24. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/archatl/

External Links

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