From a handful of mission churches to a family of more than 120 parishes and 40 schools — discover the story of the Church in the Westport region.
The Archdiocese of Westport traces its origins to 1845, when a small band of missionaries established the first permanent Catholic presence on the banks of the West River. Over the following decades, waves of immigrants from across Europe brought with them their faith, their customs and their labor, and the Church grew with them.
The Cathedral of the Epiphany, consecrated in 1878, stands as a landmark of Gothic Revival architecture and remains the spiritual heart of the diocese. Today the Archdiocese ministers across three counties and several metropolitan areas, embracing a richly multicultural people of God.
In every generation our mission has remained unchanged: to proclaim the Gospel, to celebrate the sacraments, and to serve the poor and the vulnerable in the name of Christ.
| Measure | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parishes & Missions | 124 parishes and 18 missions across three counties |
| Catholic Schools | 40 schools, including 12 high schools and 28 elementary/middle schools |
| Faithful Served | An estimated 410,000 Catholics in the region |
| Priests & Deacons | 212 active priests, 68 permanent deacons, plus religious brothers and sisters |
| Charitable Reach | Catholic Charities Westport serves more than 90,000 people annually |
"You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God."
Gathering the people of God for the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments, sustaining vibrant liturgical life in every parish.
Educating children, youth and adults in the faith through our schools, parish catechesis and adult-formation programs.
Responding to Christ in the poor, the sick, the stranger and the imprisoned through our ministries and Catholic Charities.