What are Episcopalians?

The word that describes this branch of Christ’s Church is “Episcopal” which simply means “having bishops.”  The Episcopal Church in the United States is also part of the Anglican Communion, a world-wide communion of independent churches with a membership of more than 70,000,000.  These churches are autonomous, but in communion with one another, all sharing a common origin:  The Church of England.  The word “Anglican” has taken on an international meaning.  While Anglican Churches share a common heritage, their worship is expressed in a variety of languages and customs.  All accept Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as “containing all things necessary to salvation;” the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds as sufficient statements of the Christian faith; the two great sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion as instituted by Christ himself, and a ministry comprised of the laity, deacons, priests and bishops whose succession reaches back in time to the Apostles.  

The Episcopal Church in the United States was formed following the American Revolution. Certain changes in church governance were made since Americans could no longer pledge allegiance to England and English bishops as had been formerly required.  It was no accident that the governance of the Episcopal Church followed that of the United States government since two-thirds of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as well as George Washington were Anglicans.  The first bishop of the Episcopal Church was Samuel Seabury of Connecticut.  He was consecrated in Scotland by three Scottish Episcopal Bishops who were not subject to the Church of England.  Our next two American bishops, however, were consecrated in England because the laws were changed.  This led the way to what was to become the Anglican Communion of Churches throughout the world.