Archdiocese of Atlanta
Stored in Cargo: Archdiocese of Atlanta
| Diocese: Archdiocese of Atlanta | |
| Status: | Active |
| Type: | Archdiocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Atlanta |
| Suffragan Dioceses: | Diocese of Charleston, Diocese of Savannah, Diocese of Raleigh, Diocese of Charlotte |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Bishop: | Gregory J. Hartmayer |
| Website: | https://archatl.com |
| Newspaper: | https://georgiabulletin.org |
| Catholic %: | 12.0% |
| Elementary Schools: | 18 |
| High Schools: | 6 |
| Deaneries: | 10 |
| Priests: | 200 |
| Existence: | 1956– |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Diocese of Savannah |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 3 |
| Rating: | 3.0 |
| Chancery Address: | 2401 Lake Park Drive SE Smyrna, GA 30080 |
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:
- Banks County
- Barrow County
- Bartow County
- Carroll County
- Catoosa County
- Chattooga County
- Cherokee County
- Clarke County
- Clayton County
- Cobb County
- Coweta County
- Dade County
- Dawson County
- DeKalb County
- Douglas County
- Elbert County
- Fannin County
- Fayette County
- Floyd County
- Forsyth County
- Franklin County
- Fulton County
- Gilmer County
- Gordon County
- Gwinnett County
- Habersham County
- Hall County
- Haralson County
- Hart County
- Heard County
- Henry County
- Jackson County
- Jasper County
- Lamar County
- Lincoln County
- Lumpkin County
- Madison County
- Meriwether County
- Murray County
- Newton County
- Oconee County
- Oglethorpe County
- Paulding County
- Pickens County
- Pike County
- Polk County
- Rabun County
- Rockdale County
- Spalding County
- Stephens County
- Towns County
- Troup County
- Union County
- Upson County
- Walker County
- Walton County
- White County
- Whitfield County
- Wilkes County
- Butts County
- Monroe County
- Morgan County
- Putnam County
- Greene County
- Talbot County
- Harris County
- Muscogee County
- Chattanooga County
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. |
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
| Archdiocese of Atlanta |
|---|
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
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 |
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
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/archatl/
- ↑ "History". https://archatl.com/about/history. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://archatl.com/about/history/
- ↑ https://archatl.com/?s=)[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/datla.html
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Archdiocese of Atlanta". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/datla.html. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "History". https://archatl.com/about/history. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://archatl.com/about/archbishop-and-bishops/
- ↑ "Find a Parish". https://archatl.com/parishes. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://archatl.com/parishes/find-a-parish/
- ↑ "Cathedral History". https://cathedralctk.com/history. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Archbishop and Bishops". https://archatl.com/archbishop-and-bishops. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://archatl.com/about/archbishop-and-bishops/
- ↑ "About Us". https://archatl.com/about. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/archatl/
- ↑ "Archdiocesan Statistics". https://archatl.com/about/statistics. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://archatl.com/about/archbishop-and-bishops/
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Religious Communities". https://archatl.com/offices/religious-communities. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Find a Parish". https://archatl.com/parishes. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://archatl.com/parishes/find-a-parish/
- ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://archatl.com/schools. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://archatl.com/offices/catholic-schools/message-from-the-archbishop/
- ↑ "Our Services". https://catholiccharitiesatlanta.org. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Restorative Justice Conference". https://georgiabulletin.org/news/2025/09/restorative-justice-conference. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/archatl/