[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] The 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be held in July 2021 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland (Diocese of Maryland).

The decision was presented by the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, executive officer of General Convention and chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements, to the Executive Council currently meeting at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.

“There were three outstanding finalist cities, each with compelling histories of mission, work toward racial reconciliation, and a strong desire to welcome the General Convention.  It was a most difficult decision,” Barlowe said. “An important factor in the decision was that the city of Baltimore’s incentives for our 2021 gathering offered the church the most economical plan. The Baltimore Convention Center offers superb facilities and services, is located on the Inner Harbor, and is well served by regular train and air connections.”

Barlowe explained that the approval of Executive Council is among the steps of the process of approval for the location of meetings of the General Convention. As required by canon, the decision needs to be approved by the majority of the presidents and vice presidents of the House of Bishops and House of Deputies, the presidents of the provinces and the Executive Council. Barlowe announced that the majority of those required consents have now been received.

The General Convention is the governing body of the Episcopal Church that meets every three years. It is a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, composed of bishops and deputies from each diocese. During its triennial meeting bishops and deputies consider a wide range of important matters facing the Church. In the interim between triennial meetings, various committees, commissions, agencies, boards and task forces created by the General Convention meet to implement the decisions and carry on the work of the General Convention.

The 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be held July 5 – 13, 2018 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas (Diocese of Texas).