Wakefield Diocesan Synod has voted down plans from the Dioceses Commission to form a new single diocese.
It had proposed merging the Dioceses of Wakefield, Bradford, and Ripon and Leeds.
At a meeting of the Diocesan Synod at St Catherine's Church Centre in Wakefield, 76 voted against and 40 for the motion. There were four abstentions.
In Bradford, the proposal was carried 90 for and four against. In Ripon and Leeds, a majority also said yes, with 70 voting for and 18 against.
The Archbishop of York must now decide whether to take the plans to General Synod for approval.
