Christian denominations in the United States

Baptist churches are Protestant Christian congregations that practice believer's baptism by immersion and emphasize the autonomy of the local church. The Baptist tradition is one of the largest Protestant families in the United States.

Methodist churches trace their heritage to the 18th-century revival led by John Wesley. Methodism emphasizes personal faith, social holiness, and outreach.

Lutheran churches stem from the 16th-century Reformation under Martin Luther and emphasize justification by faith alone, the authority of scripture, and the priesthood of all believers.

Presbyterian churches follow Reformed theology and a representative form of governance through elders. The tradition descends from the Scottish Reformation under John Knox.

Pentecostal churches emphasize a personal experience of the Holy Spirit, including spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy. The movement began in the early 1900s.

Non-denominational churches are independent congregations not formally affiliated with a denomination. They are one of the fastest-growing segments of American Christianity.

Evangelical churches stress the authority of the Bible, personal conversion, and the importance of evangelism. Evangelicalism cuts across denominations.

The Episcopal Church is the United States member of the Anglican Communion. It traces its heritage to the Church of England and combines Catholic and Reformed traditions.

Anglican churches in North America follow the worldwide Anglican Communion's historic Book of Common Prayer worship and three-fold ministry.

Seventh-day Adventists worship on Saturday and emphasize the imminent return of Christ, healthful living, and global mission.

Reformed churches share a Calvinist theological heritage and include the Christian Reformed Church, Reformed Church in America, and others.

Mennonites are part of the Anabaptist tradition, emphasizing peace, simple living, and adult baptism.

Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) emphasize the inward Light of Christ, simplicity, equality, and peace, often gathering in unprogrammed silent worship.

The Church of the Nazarene is a Wesleyan-holiness denomination emphasizing entire sanctification and global mission.

The Assemblies of God is the largest classical Pentecostal denomination in the United States, founded in 1914.

The Southern Baptist Convention is the largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States.

Calvary Chapel is a movement of evangelical churches founded by Chuck Smith in California in the late 1960s, emphasizing verse-by-verse Bible teaching.

The Vineyard movement is a charismatic evangelical fellowship of churches that began in California in the 1970s.

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest single Christian denomination in the United States, in full communion with the Bishop of Rome. Catholic parishes celebrate the Mass and the seven sacraments.

Eastern Orthodox churches share an unbroken liturgical tradition dating to the early church, with patriarchates such as Greek, Russian, Antiochian, and Serbian represented in the U.S.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, is the largest of several Restorationist movements emerging from 19th-century America.

Jehovah's Witnesses meet in Kingdom Halls, emphasize door-to-door evangelism, and follow distinctive teachings on the Kingdom of God and biblical interpretation.

Churches of Christ are autonomous congregations from the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, practicing weekly communion and a cappella worship.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a mainline Restorationist denomination with congregations across the United States.

Messianic congregations affirm Yeshua (Jesus) as the Jewish Messiah while observing Jewish festivals and traditions.

Unity is a New Thought movement founded in the late 1800s emphasizing positive prayer, metaphysical interpretation of scripture, and oneness with God.

Unitarian Universalist congregations welcome people of many beliefs and emphasize the inherent worth of every person and the free search for truth.

Independent and other Christian congregations that do not fit neatly into the major denominational families.