Church of England

Logo of the Church of England

The Church of England is the mother church of the global Anglican Communion, established during the 16th-century English Reformation. It retains elements of Roman Catholicism, such as an episcopal hierarchy and liturgical practices, while embracing Protestant theology, particularly through the Thirty-Nine Articles. Although it initially aligned closely with Reformed doctrine under leaders like Thomas Cranmer, over time, the Church of England has become more diverse theologically, accommodating both evangelical and Anglo-Catholic traditions.

The Church's origins lie in the early Christian missions of figures like Augustine of Canterbury in 597 AD, but its distinct identity emerged during the English Reformation in the 16th century. King Henry VIII broke from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534 through the Act of Supremacy, declaring himself Supreme Head of the Church of England, largely over a dispute with the Pope regarding his marriage annulment. Under Henry's successors, especially Edward VI, the Church adopted Protestant reforms, including the Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles, shaped by Reformed theology. These changes were temporarily reversed during the reign of Mary I, who restored Catholicism, but Elizabeth I's reign firmly re-established Protestantism with the Elizabethan Settlement, creating a church that blended Reformed theology with traditional liturgy and governance. This marked the Church of England as a distinct entity, balancing Protestant principles with historical continuity

Services may vary in style, from formal and sacramental to informal and evangelical, reflecting the diverse theological traditions within the Church.

The modern day Church of England has largely departed from the truths laid forth in scripture.