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anglican Tradition

Church of England (Anglican)

The established church in England, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Holds together Catholic and Reformed traditions in a uniquely English form of Christianity.

History & Origins

The Church of England separated from the authority of Rome under Henry VIII in 1534, but considers itself continuous with the ancient Christian church in the British Isles. Through figures like Thomas Cranmer it shaped its identity around the Book of Common Prayer (1549) and the Thirty-Nine Articles. Today it is the mother church of the global Anglican Communion.

What Makes the Church of England (Anglican) Distinctive

  • The established (state) church of England, with the reigning monarch as its Supreme Governor.
  • A "via media" or middle way, deliberately holding together Catholic and Reformed (Protestant) elements.
  • Worship is shaped by the Book of Common Prayer (1662) and the modern Common Worship.
  • Organised into dioceses led by bishops, with parishes that together cover the whole of England.
  • Part of the worldwide Anglican Communion of self-governing national churches.

Core Beliefs

  • The Holy Trinity
  • Scripture as containing all things necessary for salvation
  • The historic creeds — Apostles' and Nicene
  • Two principal sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion
  • Bishops, priests and deacons in apostolic succession

Worship & Practices

Liturgical, drawing on the Book of Common Prayer or Common Worship. Services range from quiet said Mattins to choral Evensong to contemporary worship. Many parishes celebrate the Eucharist (Holy Communion) weekly.

  • Sunday Eucharist or Morning Prayer
  • Daily prayer using the lectionary
  • Confirmation as a public profession of faith
  • Pastoral care through the parish system

Key Terms Explained

A quick glossary to help you understand worship and life in the Church of England (Anglican) tradition.

Holy Communion
The Anglican celebration of the Eucharist, also called the Lord’s Supper or Mass.
Evensong
A sung evening service of psalms, canticles and prayers — a treasure of the English choral tradition.
Book of Common Prayer
The historic 1662 prayer book that shaped Anglican worship and the English language.
Vicar / Rector
The priest with pastoral charge of a parish.
Parish
A local area served by its parish church; every place in England lies within one.
Diocese
A region of parishes led by a bishop, based at a cathedral.

Notable facts

  • There are roughly 85 million Anglicans worldwide across more than 165 countries.
  • Every location in England falls within a parish, giving everyone a legal right to be married or buried at their parish church.
  • The Church of England has ordained women as priests since 1994 and as bishops since 2014.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Church of England Protestant or Catholic?

Both, in a sense. Anglicans often describe their church as 'Reformed Catholic' — keeping the threefold ministry, the sacraments, and the historic creeds, while being shaped by the Reformation's emphasis on Scripture and the vernacular liturgy.

What is a parish?

A geographical area cared for by a parish priest. Anyone living in the parish has the right to be married, baptised or buried at the parish church.

Can anyone receive communion?

All baptised Christians who would receive communion in their own church are welcome to receive at most Church of England services.

Notable Church of England (Anglican) churches

A selection of Church of England (Anglican) congregations from our directory.

Church of England (Anglican)

All Hallows-by-the-Tower

London, EC3R 5BJ

Church of England (Anglican)

All Saints

Watford, WD25 0LU

Church of England (Anglican)

All Saints Church Deneside

Seaham, SR7 8LP

Church of England (Anglican)

All Saints Margaret Street

London, W1W 8JG

Church of England (Anglican)

All Saints with St John the Baptist

Burnley, BB12 6TQ

Church of England (Anglican)

All Saints' Church

Didcot, OX11 7EA