Our History

The original Diocese of Natchez, established on July 28, 1837, included the whole state of Mississippi. In 1948, Bishop Richard Gerow moved the central administration to the state capitol in Jackson. In 1957, Pope Pius XII approved the diocese being named Natchez-Jackson. In 1977, Pope Paul VI establishes the 17 southeastern counties of Mississippi as the new Diocese of Biloxi with the division line running along the western borders of Walthall and Lawrence counties and the northern borders of Jefferson Davis, Covington, Jones, and Wayne counties. At the same time the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson became the Diocese of Jackson with the Diocese of Natchez becoming a titular see.

We are home to over 48,000 Catholics in 101 parishes and missions. Our diocese covers 65 counties and almost 38,000 square miles making it the largest geographical diocese east of the Mississippi River. Since the time of the early Spanish explorers, there has been a Catholic presence in what is now the State of Mississippi. The early missionaries and those who have followed have found ways to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others.

Joseph Nunzio Latino 2003 - present	William Russell Houck 1984 - 2003
Joseph Bernard Brunini 1967-1984	Richard Oliver Gerow 1924-1966	John Edward Gunn 1911-1924
Thomas Heslin 1889 - 1911	Francis Janssens 1881 - 1888	William Henry Elder 1857 - 1880
James Oliver Van de Velde 1853 - 1855	John Joseph Chanche, SS 1841 - 1852