Anglican Diocese of Ottawa celebrates its 130th

The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa marked the 130th anniversary of its establishment on April 7.

In honour of the occasion and the contributions Anglican parishes and Community Ministries make to the City of Ottawa, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe officially proclaimed April 7, 2026, Anglican Diocese of Ottawa Historical Day.

The mayor unfortunately had to cancel plans to visit Ascension House to present the framed proclamation as well as plans to meet Bishop-elect Kathryn Otley at his City Hall office to present the proclamation, but members of his staff presented it to her.

It reads:

WHEREAS, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa marks its 130th anniversary on April 7, 2026, having been established in 1896, and

WHEREAS, the Diocese supports local churches, nurtures faith and, through its community ministries, serves the people in need throughout Ottawa and the surrounding region, and

WHEREAS, the Diocese contributes to the social, spiritual, and civic life of the City of Ottawa, strengthening communities and fostering inclusion, and

WHEREAS, the Diocese celebrates the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Anglican Church of Canada and gives thanks for the election of its first female bishop, Kathryn Otley,

THEREFORE, I, Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, do hereby proclaim April 7, 2026 as the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa Historical Day in Ottawa.

Staff gathered with the bishop-elect for a brief celebration and cake at Ascension House that afternoon.

Ascension House and Cathedral staff:

Front row (left to right): Carole Breton, director of Communications and Development; Executive Archdeacon Linda Hill; Bishop-elect Kathryn Otley (standing centre); Emily Dobson, Human Resources officer; Shaylene Tompkins, administrative assistant

Second row: Marcela Hurtado, development officer; Elizabeth Taylor, Archives newsletter editor; Ishita Ghose, case manager Refugee Ministry Office; Heidi Pizzuto, executive assistant to the bishop; Sandra Purdy, accountant; Meg Stewart, digital records archivist; Reem Abu-Afieh, case manager Refugee Ministry Office; Amy Elliott, administrative assistant, Property and Asset Management

Back row: Glenn Lockwood, Diocesan archivist; Nicholas Galambos, Cathedral director of operations; the Rev. Canon Doug Richards, rector at Christ Church Cathedral; James Calkin, Cathedral music director; Wanita Jerusalimeic, Cathedral office coordinator; Bill Gilbert, accountant; Joel Prentice, Property and Asset Management director; Dean Beth Bretzlaff; the Rev. Victoria Scott, director general of Community Ministries; Paul Lex director of Human Resources