History of the Diocese

The Diocese of Lansing, originally comprised of 15 Southern Michigan counties, was established by Pope Pius XI by proclamation dated May 22, 1937. Previously, these counties had been part of the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Grand Rapids. In May, 1938, with the establishment of the Diocese of Saginaw, the counties of Allegan, Barry, and Ionia were annexed from the Diocese of Lansing to the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and the counties of Genesee, Livingston, and Shiawassee were annexed from the Archdiocese of Detroit to the Diocese of Lansing. In July, 1971, from the Dioceses of Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw, the Dioceses of Kalamazoo and Gaylord were formed. At that time Washtenaw and Lenawee Counties were annexed to the Diocese of Lansing from the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The Diocese of Lansing is currently comprised of 10 counties covering 6,218 square miles: Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw Counties. Major cities are Lansing, Adrian, Ann Arbor, Flint, Jackson, Owosso, and Ypsilanti. Total population in the 10-county area is estimated at 1,801,941. Catholic population is approximately 230,981.

Bishops of Lansing
Most Reverend Joseph H. Albers of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati was appointed first Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing in 1937 and served until his death in 1965.

Most Reverend Alexander M. Zaleski of the Archdiocese of Detroit became the second Bishop of Lansing in 1965 and served until his death in 1975.

Most Reverend Kenneth J. Povish of the Diocese of Crookston became the third Bishop of Lansing in 1975 and served until his retirement in 1995. He died September 5, 2003.

Monsignor Carl F. Mengeling of the Diocese of Gary became the fourth Bishop of Lansing upon ordination and installation on January 25, 1996.