GREEN BAY, DIOCESE OF. - A city in the State of Wisconsin, United States of America. Erected by Pius IX on 3 March 1868 by separation from the Diocese of Milwaukee, it comprises the counties of Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewanee, Langdale, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, all in the State of Wisconsin.
The diocese covers an area of 10,851 square miles, with a population of approximately 550,000 inhabitants, among whom are many immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Belgium, and later from Poland and Bohemia. Catholics number more than 204,100, distributed in 173 parishes, 39 chapels, 44 missions, and 6 stations, served by 229 diocesan priests and 132 religious; 2 colleges and universities, 18 diocesan and parochial high schools, and 115 parochial elementary schools. In 1946 there were 732 conversions. The diocese has 8 male religious communities and 19 female.
The first Bishop of Green Bay was Abp. J. Melcher (d. 1873). The cathedral is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The diocese is a suffragan of Milwaukee.