Joshua Bennett
Arizona is home to a large Catholic population, with the Diocese of Phoenix being one of the fastest-growing dioceses in the United States. The history of the Catholic Church in Arizona dates back to 1539 when Franciscan friar Marcos de Niza ventured into the region. Over time, the Catholic population in Arizona has grown significantly, with the Diocese of Phoenix established in 1969, initially serving around 180,000 to 200,000 Catholics. As of recent estimates, there are over 2 million Catholics in Arizona, comprising 21% of the state's population and making it the largest individual denomination in the state.
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What You'll Learn
The Diocese of Phoenix
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, established in 1969, is one of the fastest-growing dioceses in the United States. Led by the Most Reverend John P. Dolan, the diocese has witnessed an influx of over 300,000 Catholics in the last decade, with a current total Catholic population of approximately 2 million individuals. The diocese encompasses a vast area of 43,967 to 44,000 square miles, including Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties, as well as the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal County, while excluding the Navajo Nation territory.
The history of the Catholic Church in Arizona is deeply intertwined with the state's growth and development. Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries, including Marcos de Niza, who is often regarded as the discoverer of Arizona, laid the foundations of Catholicism in the region. The establishment of the Diocese of Phoenix in 1969 marked a significant milestone, and since then, the Catholic community has flourished.
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Catholic population growth
The history of the Catholic Church in Arizona is intertwined with the state's history and growth. Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries were the harbingers of European culture and Catholicism in the Southwest. The origins of the Catholic Church in Arizona can be traced back to 1539, 47 years after Columbus discovered the Americas. A Franciscan friar named Marcos de Niza ventured north from the Gulf of California, becoming the first Catholic in what is now Arizona.
The Diocese of Phoenix, a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory in western and central Arizona, was established in 1969, and the Catholic population at that time was around 180,000 to 200,000. The diocese has witnessed remarkable expansion since its inception, mirroring the growth of Arizona and the Valley of the Sun (Metro Phoenix).
Currently, the Diocese of Phoenix encompasses 43,967 to 44,000 square miles and includes Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties, as well as the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal County. The total Catholic population within this expanse is estimated to be over 2 million individuals, representing a significant increase from its beginnings. This diverse community includes people from various cultural backgrounds, such as Hispanic, Filipino, Native American, Vietnamese, and African heritage.
The Diocese of Phoenix has evolved to encompass 94 parishes and 23 missions, serving as hubs of community, family support, and spiritual development. Education is a key focus, with a robust network of 29 Catholic elementary schools, six standalone preschools, and seven Catholic high schools, catering to over 15,000 students. The diocese also operates campus ministry programs at four public universities. The commitment to education is reflected in the high graduation and college attendance rates among Catholic school students.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing dioceses in the United States, with more than 300,000 new Catholics joining in the last decade. This growth underscores the dynamic nature of the Catholic population in Arizona, contributing to its diverse and vibrant faith community.
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Catholic history in Arizona
Arizona's Catholic history dates back to 1539, when Franciscan friar Marcos de Niza led a small expedition to the region. De Niza is considered the discoverer of Arizona and New Mexico, and he planted a cross in the land, naming it "the New Kingdom of St. Francis". Following this, Spanish Jesuit priests arrived in present-day northern Mexico in the 1610s, establishing over 50 missions in the lowlands near the Pacific Ocean and in the Yaqui River valley.
In the 1680s, Jesuit missionary Reverend Eusebio Kino arrived in Nueva Navarra and established churches and missions in several locations, including the Mission San Xavier del Bac in the Tohono O'odham Nation in present-day Tucson in 1692. This is one of the oldest Catholic sites in North America. The Jesuits also set up missions in the Pima and Tohono O'odham territories with the permission of the Opata people.
After the Mexican War of Independence ended in 1821, the Franciscans and other religious orders abandoned their missions in Nueva Navarra and other areas. When Mexico ceded the Southwest to the United States in 1848, the Catholics in the region came under different ecclesiastical jurisdictions. The first Catholic church in Phoenix, the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (commonly called St. Mary's Basilica), was dedicated in 1881. It remained Phoenix's only parish until 1924.
The Diocese of Phoenix was established in 1969, and at that time, the Catholic population numbered around 180,000 to 200,000. The diocese has grown significantly since then, and as of 2023, it includes 94 parishes and 23 missions serving more than 2 million Catholics. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes nine counties in Southern Arizona, serves an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 Catholics.
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Catholic schools in Phoenix
Phoenix has a long history of Catholicism, with the first Catholic in modern-day Arizona being Marcos de Niza, a French Franciscan friar, who travelled to the region in 1539. The first Catholic church in Phoenix, the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was dedicated in 1881. Today, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing dioceses in the United States, with an estimated total Catholic population of 2 million individuals.
There are currently 29 Catholic elementary schools, six stand-alone preschools, and seven Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Phoenix, serving more than 15,000 students. These schools are spread throughout the Valley and the state of Arizona, with representation from diverse communities, including Hispanic, Filipino, Native American, Vietnamese, and African cultures.
Our Lady of the Lake (Lake Havasu): This school is located in Lake Havasu and offers a rigorous academic curriculum alongside spiritual and religious education.
Sacred Heart (Prescott): Sacred Heart is situated in Prescott and provides a holistic education that nurtures the spirit, mind, and body of its students.
San Francisco de Asís (Flagstaff): San Francisco de Asís is one of the Catholic schools located in Flagstaff, known for its commitment to academic excellence and faith-based values.
Immaculate Conception (formerly St. Joseph): Immaculate Conception, previously known as St. Joseph, is a Catholic school in the Diocese of Phoenix, dedicated to providing a well-rounded education.
St. John Vianney: St. John Vianney is another esteemed Catholic educational institution within the Diocese of Phoenix, preparing students for academic and spiritual success.
While each Catholic school in Phoenix has its unique characteristics and traditions, they all share a commitment to academic excellence and the spiritual development of their students. These schools play a vital role in the vibrant and diverse Catholic community of Phoenix, fostering growth and a sense of community.
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Catholic missions and churches
The history of the Catholic Church in Arizona is intertwined with the state's history and growth. Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries were the first to bring European culture and Catholicism to the Southwest. The first Catholic in modern-day Arizona was Marcos de Niza, a French Franciscan friar who ventured north from the Gulf of California in 1539. In the 1610s, Spanish Jesuit priests arrived in present-day northern Mexico, near the Pacific coast, and established over 50 mission settlements.
The Jesuits were successful in their missionary work, with Reverend Eusebio Kino being a notable example. He arrived in Nueva Navarra in 1687 and established churches and missions in several locations, including the present-day Mexican State of Sonora and southern Arizona. Kino also established the Mission San Xavier del Bac in the Tohono O'odham Nation in present-day Tucson in 1692. The Jesuits worked closely with the Native Americans in the Pimería Alta region, also known as "Upper Pima Country," and founded over 20 missions in eight mission districts.
Following the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the Franciscans took over responsibility for the missions in Pimería Alta. However, a Quechan raid in 1781 destroyed two missions near present-day Yuma, hindering the expansion of Spanish influence. After the Mexican War of Independence ended in 1821, the Franciscans and other religious orders abandoned their missions in Nueva Navarra and other areas of New Spain. The remaining missions gradually fell into disuse, and with the cession of the Southwest to the United States in 1848, the ecclesiastical landscape changed further.
The first Catholic church in Phoenix, the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was dedicated in 1881 and remained the sole parish until 1924. Other notable early Catholic churches in Arizona include Old St. Mary's Church in Tempe (built in 1903), First Nativity in Flagstaff (dedicated in 1888), Sacred Heart Church in Prescott (completed in 1894), and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), also known as the Old Adobe Mission, constructed by Mexican Catholics in Scottsdale in the 1910s.
Today, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, established in 1969, encompasses western and central Arizona. It includes Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties, as well as the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal County, spanning a total of 43,967 to 44,000 square miles. The diocese serves a diverse Catholic population of over 2 million individuals, with 94 parishes and 23 missions. It also has a strong focus on education, with numerous Catholic elementary schools, preschools, and high schools serving a significant number of students.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, there are around 2 million Catholics in Arizona, making up 21% of the state's population.
Catholicism in Arizona dates back to 1539 when Franciscan friar Marcos de Niza travelled to the region. The first Catholic church in Phoenix was established in 1881. The Diocese of Phoenix was established in 1969, and at the time, the Catholic population numbered around 180,000-200,000.
The Diocese of Phoenix is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory in western and central Arizona. It includes Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties and the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal County. The diocese has grown rapidly, with more than 300,000 Catholics joining in the last ten years.
The Catholic Church is the largest individual denomination in Arizona. However, the religious share of Christians in the state has decreased since the 1990s, while other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Sikhism have grown due to immigration.
