Episcopal church near me

The Episcopal and Anglican tradition

The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion — the family of churches that traces its origin to the Church of England and the English Reformation of the 16th century. With approximately 1.6 million members and 6,400 congregations across the U.S., the Episcopal Church is one of the historic mainline Protestant denominations, though it considers itself a bridge church — "Catholic and Reformed" — rather than purely Protestant.

Anglican identity is defined less by a single doctrinal confession and more by a common form of worship: the Book of Common Prayer, first produced by Thomas Cranmer in 1549 and revised multiple times since. The liturgy of the BCP — with its structured services, set prayers, and ancient rhythms — is what unites Anglicans across the theological spectrum.

TEC vs. ACNA: two Anglican bodies in America

Since 2009, there are effectively two major Anglican bodies in the United States:

The Episcopal Church (TEC)

The historic mainline body, a full member of the Anglican Communion. TEC has moved steadily in a progressive theological direction — it was the first Anglican province to ordain women bishops, blessed same-sex unions in 2012, and formally authorized same-sex marriage in 2015. TEC congregations range from low-church evangelical to high-church Anglo-Catholic in worship style. Many historic church buildings across America belong to TEC.

Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)

Founded in 2009 by conservative bishops and congregations that separated from TEC over theological issues, primarily the blessing of same-sex unions and the authority of Scripture. ACNA holds to traditional Anglican theology on marriage and sexuality and is in communion with the majority of the global Anglican Communion (which is predominantly African and Asian, and largely theologically conservative). ACNA has approximately 1,000 congregations in the U.S. and is growing.

When searching for an Episcopal or Anglican church, pay attention to which body a congregation belongs to — TEC and ACNA congregations may have very different theological orientations.

What to expect at an Episcopal service

• Liturgical worship from the Book of Common Prayer. The service follows a set order — gathering, confession, Scripture readings, sermon, Prayers of the People, the Peace, Eucharist, benediction. The congregation participates actively through printed or projected responses. The 1979 BCP is the standard in TEC; ACNA uses the 2019 BCP.
• Weekly Eucharist. Most Episcopal parishes celebrate the Eucharist at every Sunday service. Unlike many Protestant churches, the Lord's Supper is not occasional but central. In Anglo-Catholic parishes, the Mass is elaborate; in low-church evangelical parishes it is simpler.
• Standing, kneeling, sitting. Episcopal worship involves physical posture — standing for the Gospel reading and the Gloria, kneeling for confession and prayer, sitting for Scripture and sermon. First-time visitors should feel free to follow along as best they can.
• Music. Music varies widely — some parishes maintain professional choirs and pipe organs singing Palestrina and Stanford; others use contemporary praise bands. Many Episcopal churches are known for exceptional choral music.
• Open Communion vs. baptized-only Communion. TEC officially practices open Communion — all are welcome at the Table regardless of denomination or baptism. ACNA typically requires baptism before receiving Communion. Ask at the door or check the bulletin.
• Vestments and ceremony. Priests vest in alb and stole; in high-church parishes, cassock, surplice, and cope are common. Candles, incense, and ceremonial bowing are common in Anglo-Catholic parishes; low-church evangelical parishes are far simpler.

The liturgical calendar

Episcopal worship follows the church year: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time. The lectionary — a three-year cycle of assigned Scripture readings — means that over three years, the congregation hears the entire sweep of the Bible read aloud. This structured engagement with Scripture is one of the distinctive strengths of the Anglican tradition.

Is an Episcopal or Anglican church right for you?

Episcopal and Anglican churches tend to attract people who:

• Value ancient liturgy and a sense of continuity with historic Christianity
• Appreciate beauty in worship — architecture, music, ceremonial
• Are drawn to a "via media" that holds together Catholic sacramentalism and Protestant Scripture-focus
• Want intellectual latitude — Anglicanism has always made room for a wide range of theological perspectives within a common liturgical framework
• Are coming from a Catholic background but seeking a less hierarchically centralized church

Frequently asked questions

Are Episcopalians Protestant or Catholic?

Both, in a sense. The Anglican tradition describes itself as "both Catholic and Reformed" — it separated from Rome at the Reformation but retained bishops in apostolic succession, sacramental theology, and liturgical worship. Episcopalians are formally Protestant (they accept the authority of Scripture over tradition) but maintain many Catholic practices that most other Protestant denominations abandoned.

Can non-Episcopalians take Communion at an Episcopal church?

In TEC, yes — the official policy is open Communion: "all are welcome at the Table." In ACNA, baptism is typically required. In practice, many Episcopal parishes welcome anyone who desires to receive. The priest will not typically ask for credentials at the rail.

What is the difference between Episcopal and Anglican?

"Episcopal" and "Anglican" both describe the same tradition. "Episcopal" (from the Greek episkopos, bishop) refers to the governance structure — rule by bishops — and is the term used in the United States. "Anglican" refers to the English origin of the tradition (from Anglicanus, of England). Outside the U.S., the equivalent body is called the Church of England, the Church of Nigeria, the Anglican Church of Australia, etc.