Episcopal Church (United States)

Beliefs and worship

Worship in the Episcopal Church centers on the Book of Common Prayer, which shapes public liturgy, baptisms, Eucharist and pastoral rites. It affirms the creeds of historic Christianity, practices two primary sacraments (baptism and the Eucharist) and recognizes ordained ministry in the historic episcopate. Theologically the church spans a broad spectrum—from Anglo-Catholic to low-church evangelical—producing a culture that values both sacramental devotion and scriptural study.

Organization and governance

As a mainline Protestant body, the Episcopal Church is organized into dioceses led by bishops and grouped into provinces. Its national legislative assembly, the General Convention, meets regularly to set doctrine, liturgy, and policy. Parishes and dioceses operate with a combination of clerical leadership and elected lay participation, reflecting an episcopal polity tempered by representative structures typical of mainline denominations.

History and development

The church developed after American independence when Anglican clergy and congregations in the new nation sought ecclesiastical structures independent of the Church of England. Early leaders secured apostolic succession and adapted liturgy for an American context. Over the 20th and 21st centuries the church expanded roles for laypeople and women in ordained ministry and became active in social issues.

Contemporary role and issues

In recent decades the Episcopal Church has been prominent in public debates over civil rights, social justice, and human sexuality. Decisions to ordain women and later to include LGBTQ people in ordained ministry and to authorize same-sex marriage blessings generated both internal discussion and realignment within the broader Anglican world. These developments have shaped its identity as a church seeking to balance tradition and change while engaging civic life.

Notable facts

• The presiding bishop is a nationally elected leader who also represents the church abroad; Michael B. Curry was the first African American elected to that office in recent history.
• The church maintains parishes, schools, seminaries and chaplaincies, contributing to education and pastoral care in many communities.
• It remains a significant voice within the global Anglican family, participating in ecumenical dialogues and international mission.