It became part of the newly created diocese of Chester in 1541,[2] and part of the diocese of Manchester when it was created in 1847.

[3] The diocese of Blackburn was in turn established on 12 November 1926 from the northern part of Manchester.

[4] Alongside the diocesan Bishop of Blackburn (Philip North), the diocese has two suffragan bishops: Jill Duff, Bishop suffragan of Lancaster, consecrated in 2018; and Joe Kennedy, Bishop suffragan of Burnley, consecrated 2024.

There is no alternative episcopal oversight (for parishes in the diocese which reject the ministry of priests who are women) in the diocese because the ordinary (Philip North) does not ordain women as priests.

Area Dean: the Revd Canon David Arnold Area Dean: the Revd Canon Andrew Horsfall Area Dean: the Revd Munawar Din Area Dean: the Revd Neil Kelley Area Dean: the Revd Marc Wolverson Area Dean: the Revd Lesley Hinchcliffe Area Dean: the Revd Jonathan Carmylie Area Dean: the Revd Peter Lillicrap Area Dean: the Revd Andrew Wilkinson Area Dean: the Revd Anne Beverley Area Dean: vacant Area Dean: the Revd Jane Atkinson Area Dean: the Revd David Hanson Area Dean: vacant This list is not exhaustive.