Diocese of Walla Walla

The Diocese of Walla Walla, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, was a historic diocese in the United States encompassing parts of present-day Washington and surrounding territories. Established in 1846 by Pope Pius IX, it served early Catholic missionary efforts among Native American populations and settlers in the Pacific Northwest. The see was suppressed in 1853, with its territory incorporated into the newly erected Diocese of Nesqually. Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Walla Walla

Diocese: Diocese of Walla Walla
Status:	Historic
Rite:	Latin
Type:	Suffragan diocese
Country:	United States
Region:	Washington
Existence:	1846–1853
Successor Dioceses:	Diocese of Nesqually
Chancery Address:	Walla Walla, Washington

Establishment

The Diocese of Walla Walla was erected on 24 July 1846 by Pope Pius IX to support Catholic evangelization in the Oregon Country, carved from the vast Vicariate Apostolic of Oregon.

History

Early Years

Missionary activity in the region began in the 1830s under the direction of the Society of Jesus and other religious orders. The diocese was created amid rapid territorial changes following the Oregon Treaty of 1846.

Suppression

In 1853 the Holy See suppressed the Diocese of Walla Walla and transferred its territory to the newly established Diocese of Nesqually (later renamed the Archdiocese of Seattle). The suppression reflected the shifting population centers toward Puget Sound.

Geography

The historic diocese covered a large portion of the inland Pacific Northwest, including areas along the Columbia and Snake Rivers in what is now southeastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and parts of Idaho.

Mother Church

The pro-cathedral was located in Walla Walla, Washington; no permanent cathedral structure was completed before suppression.

Leadership

Past Bishops

Name	Tenure	Notes
Augustin Magloire Alexandre Blanchet	1846–1850	First and only residential bishop; transferred to the Diocese of Nesqually.
(Vacant)	1850–1853	See administered by neighboring ordinaries until suppression.

According to diocesan records and Vatican appointments.

Titular Status

The former see of Walla Walla is not currently assigned as a titular see.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Walla Walla:

Did you know? The Diocese of Walla Walla was erected in 1846, making it one of the earliest Latin Rite dioceses established west of the Rocky Mountains!

Surprise! Its only residential bishop, Augustin Magloire Blanchet, later became the first bishop of the successor Diocese of Nesqually.

Here's something cool: The diocese was created just months after the Oregon Treaty settled the boundary between the United States and British North America.

Wow moment: Early missionaries in the territory traveled by horseback and canoe to reach distant Native American villages and settler outposts.

Little-known gem: The see was suppressed after only seven years when Catholic population growth shifted toward the Puget Sound region.

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Associated saints

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Diocesan photos

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External Links

• Catholic-Hierarchy.org entry on Walla Walla