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About the Diocese of Hereford
The Diocese of Hereford, founded in AD676 covers the whole of the county of Herefordshire, southern Shropshire and a few parishes in Worcestershire Powys and Monmouthshire. The Diocese is roughly 1660 square miles with a population of about 285,000.
The Diocese of Hereford is predominantly rural in character. The main centre of population is the ancient and historic city of Hereford; the major market towns are Bridgnorth, Ledbury, Leominster, Ludlow and Ross-on-Wye; smaller market towns include Bromyard, Bishop's Castle and Kington.
The Diocese of Hereford has over 400 Church buildings, 356 Parishes divided between 13 Deaneries within 2 Archdeaconries. Many of our church buildings are historic and part of the heritage of the country. The Diocese of Hereford has around 100 parish priests with about 60 Self Supporting (or unpaid) priests and more than 90 Readers. A further 170 plus ministers (usually retired clergy) 
have permission to work within the Diocese. The Local Ministry Scheme has 16 commissioned schemes (25% of our parishes)across the Diocese, a team comprising a mixture of ordained and lay people within a parish or group of parishes.
The churches are served administratively from the Diocesan offices housed in The Palace, next to the cathedral in Hereford. This is also the home of the Bishop of Hereford and his office. There is a further Office in Ludlow at the Eco Park on the A49 bypass.