The Diocese of Chikmagalur, comprising the three districts of Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Hassan was erected on November 16, 1963, by Pope Paul VI by the Apostolic Constitution "Indicae Regionis", dismembering it from the Diocese of Mysore. It is entrusted to the Diocesan Clergy. The first Bishop of the Diocese was Bp Alphonsus Mathias.

The district of Shimoga was detached from the Diocese of Chikmagalur in January, 1989, to form part of the newly erected Diocese of Shimoga.

Bp THOMASAPPA ANTHONY SWAMY
Born : Feb. 09, 1951
Priestly Ordn.: May 20, 1984
Episcopal Ordn.: Feb. 06, 2007

Address:
Bishop's House
Jyothinagar
Chikmagalur - 577 102
Karnataka.
                                      
Tel: (08262) 22 03 89 
E-mail: bishopckm@yahoo.co.in  

Area: 14,015 sq. kms.
Total population: 28,60,423
Christians: 5,186
Catholics: 39,631
Languages spoken: Kannada, Konkani, Tamil,
Malayalam and Tulu.
Revenue districts: Chikmagalur and Hassan.

Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 47
Religious Priests: 19
Religious Brothers: 03
Religious Women: 248
No. of Parishes: 33
Houses of Women Religious: 37
Houses of Men Religious: 09

Formation Houses
Minor Seminary: 01

No. of Educational Institutions: 63
Technical institutions:01, Students: 70
Collegiate (P.U.C.): 01, Students: 60
High Schools (10th std.): 11, Students: 5,074
Primary Schools: 30, Students: 13,407
Hospitals: 05, Beds: 180
Dispensaries: 09, Beneficiaries (Annual): 30,108
Other Institutions: 22, Beneficiaries (Annual): 868