It is my joy to welcome you to the website of the Diocese of Moosonee. 

The Diocese of Moosonee straddles both northern Ontario and Northwestern Quebec covering some 350,000 square miles, second to the Diocese of the Arctic in geographic size. It is one of the great historic missionary areas of the Anglican Communion and of early Canada with records dating back to 1780. It is an area set in “an almost unbelievable land...of forests and lakes and rivers with mountains and muskeg and desolate tundra” (Olive Mackay Petersen). The southern part of the Diocese is dotted with mines, abandoned, operating and under new development, as well as the lumbering industries, all connected by miles of rail and highway.

The northern half of the Diocese is made up of the ancient aboriginal people of the north, mostly of the Cree Nation, with some Ojibway. 

The history of Moosonee is a colourful one of adventurers, fur-traders, map-makers and missionaries. Early missionaries, including Thomas Vincent, E.A. Watkins, Edmund Peck and John Horden followed the Hudson Bay Company into the area around James Bay to proclaim the Gospel and establish the Church. In 1872 the Diocese of Moosonee was created with John Hordon of Moose Factory as her first Bishop. As the north developed the Diocese grew and changed. Missionary efforts changed from paddling the rivers to riding the rails, to driving the highways to flying the norther skies. 

The See City of Moosonee today is Timmins, Ontario. From there the ninth Bishop oversees the same vast territory but with many changes, including the challenges brought on by the present economic picture in Canada, the downturn in northern population, and the correctness of the First nations right to self-determination. Today the Church is far different in Canada's north, but continuing with much hope and determination as we welcome new mining and economic development in our area.  

Visit through our website and experience a small breath of the north that we call home. Perhaps your virtual visit will entice you to venture north and call upon us. Do be assured of a very warm welcome! 

With every blessing

The Right Rev. Thomas A. Corston

Ninth Bishop of Moosonee