About the Diocese of the Central States
Welcome to the Diocese of the Central States of the Reformed Episcopal Church, a sub-jurisdiction of the Anglican Church in North America. This Diocese officially started in 2008 as an outgrowth of the domestic mission and church planting of the Reformed Episcopal Church, and seeks to expand Christ's Kingdom in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Our founding Bishop, Daniel R. Morse, addressed the second synod of this Diocese with these words, "The central imperative of the Great Commission is to make disciples. This means bringing men, women and children into relationship with Jesus Christ so that they might believe on Him as their Savior and become part of his body, the Church."
The Diocese of the Central States continues to heed that exhortation by supporting our local parishes with the following priorities:
- Reaching the lost
- Discipling believers in the Faith
- Planting new parishes
- Raising up new pastors for future generations
We pray that you find our website helpful for your purposes, and if you haven't joined a parish in the Diocese yet, we encourage you to find a parish near you and make yourself known to us.
Our History
The Missionary Diocese of the Central States is officially formed with 12 parishes from other REC Dioceses. The geographical territory is determined and The Rt. Rev. Daniel R. Morse is appointed by the Presiding Bishop of the REC as the Missionary Bishop of the new Diocese.
As the Diocese continues to grow, the Missionary Diocese is recognized as a full Diocese and Bishop Morse is approved as the first Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Central States. Peter Manto is elected at the 2012 Synod and consecrated as suffragan Bishop in December 2013.
Bishop Morse retires and Bishop Manto is installed as the 2nd Bishop Ordinary of the Dicoese of the Central States. Bishop Morse is named Bishop Emeritus.
Bishop Jason Grote is elected as Bishop Coadjutor at the 2024 Synod. He is consecrated in June 2025 and installed as the new Ordinary at the REC General Council in June 2026.
Our Leadership
The Rt. Rev. Jason Grote, Bishop Ordinary
Diocese of the Central States
Bishop Jason Robert Grote was born outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and spent his formative years in New Jersey after his father, the late Bishop Royal U. Grote Jr., accepted a call to serve as rector of St. Luke’s Reformed Episcopal Church. Before entering ordained ministry, he worked in banking and accounting, later attending Reformed Episcopal Seminary and earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Houston Downtown.
Ordained after relocating to Texas, Bishop Grote served for 28 years in the Diocese of Mid-America, including as Rector of St. Matthias Anglican Church in Katy, Texas, from 2000 to 2026. He also served on numerous diocesan and national committees and contributed his financial and technology experience as treasurer for several church organizations and as webmaster for the Diocese and National Church.
Bishop Grote and his wife, Elizabeth “Liz,” were married in 2004 and have two children, Aidan and Avery. In October 2024, he was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of the Central States, consecrated on June 4, 2025, and installed as Ordinary on June 10, 2026. He now resides in Xenia, Ohio.
Diocesan Officers & Leadership
Bishop Manto
Assisting Bishop
The Rev. Kenneth Mills
Diocesan Treasurer
The Rev. Richard Tarsitano
Diocesan Secretary
The Rev. William Barto
Diocesan Chancellor
The Rev. Timothy Kline
Assisting Diocesan Chancellor
The Ven. Davidson Morse
Archdeacon
The Very Rev. Josiah Jones
Dean of the Piedmont Deanery
The Rev. Canon Damien Grout
Canon for Clergy Care and Counseling
Standing Committee
The Ven. Davidson Morse, President
Class of 2027
Mr. Steve Mouton
Class of 2027
The Rev. Dr. Paul Edgerton
Class of 2028
Mr. Paul Harris
Class of 2028
Dss. Shelley Fleming
Class of 2029
The Rev. Wayne McNamara
Class of 2029
Diocesan Trustees
The Rev. Richard Tarsitano
Class of 2027
Mr. Jordan Rafferty
Class of 2027
The Rev. David Goodwin
Class of 2028
Mr. Wesley Mullins
Class of 2028
The Rev. Canon Damien Grout
Class of 2029
Dr. James S. Moose
Class of 2029
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