A History of the Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church is a Christian tradition which is rooted in the ancient, catholic, and apostolic faith and is also influenced by the changes of the Reformation.

As Christopher Webber has pointed out, “Episcopalians claim that the very name of the church indicates our continuation of the apostolic tradition.  The apostles were overseers of the Church, and the name 'Episcopal’ (from the Greek episcopos or overseer) indicates that we are a church that believes bishops, as successors to the apostles, are a vital aspect of our common life.”

The Episcopal Church recognizes three distinct orders of ordained ministry, bishops, priests, and deacons, and the Prayer Book indicates that the Church has had these three orders since apostolic times.  We believe that this tradition of ordained ministry links us with the church of all times and ages and provides a common bond with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Many visitors to the Episcopal Church, especially those with Roman Catholic backgrounds, observe the similarity between our worship and that of the Catholic Church.  This is due to the fact that we share with that church liturgical patterns of worship which date back to the apostolic age. 

There are, however, key differences between our two Churches which are rooted in the events of the 16th century both in England and in Europe, namely King Henry VIII’s separation from the Pope and the Protestant Reformation.

Henry’s separation from the Church of Rome, and his subsequent declaration of the King of England as the Head of both Church and State was more political rather than theological in nature.  As a result, the Church in England was not as radically changed in its structures, practices, and teachings as those reformed Churches in continental Europe. 

Bishops and priests were still the sacramental ministers in the Church of England, but their authority was derivative from the Crown and not from the Pope.  Moreover, the Church of England worshipped in English, the language of the people.  The Church of England was also defined more by common patterns of worship rooted in the Prayer Book than by doctrinal statements. 

It was this “reformed” tradition of Catholicism which was carried from England to the colonies, and which, following the American Revolution became known as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

No description can convey the wide diversity of spirituality and liturgical style which is characteristic of the Episcopal Church.  As you may have noticed from your visits to various Episcopal churches, some parishes have a more protestant, “low-church” style, while others reflect a more catholic, “high-church style.”  Still, some seem right down the middle.

We are, however, despite our wide diversity, united by our commitment to common patterns of worship, by the Book of Common Prayer as that book which reflects our shared practice, our basic tenets of belief, and spiritual heritage.

I hope that this basic and cursory description of our Church is helpful to you as you get to know us.

In the weeks and months to come, please stay tuned for articles related to worship and liturgy, the Prayer Book, Church history, Episcopalians and the Bible, ordained ministry, as well as a bibliography of works for further reading.

(Much of this information is taken from Christopher Webber’s book Welcome to the Episcopal Church, and Saint Martin’s thanks and acknowledges him for this work.)