Amateur Anglican

Catechesis, Discipleship, and Encouragement

Part 1 of 4: Introduction & Anglo-Catholic Jurisdictions

Orthodox Anglican Options in the United States: A Comprehensive Survey

Part 1 of 4: Introduction & Anglo-Catholic Jurisdictions

Compiled with assistance from Claude AI (Anthropic) – October 2025

Methodology and Scope

This document was developed through a systematic interrogative process using Claude AI to map the complete landscape of conservative, orthodox Anglican jurisdictions in the United States as of October 2025. The compilation methodology involved:

  1. Initial scoping questions to establish inclusion/exclusion criteria
  2. Taxonomic organization decisions regarding theological tradition categories
  3. Comparative analysis parameters for evaluating institutional characteristics
  4. Accessibility considerations balancing theoretical availability versus practical viability
  5. Cross-jurisdictional relationship mapping to understand intercommunion networks

Definitional Parameters

Research Question: What constitutes an “orthodox Anglican option” in the contemporary United States context?

Established Criteria Through Interrogative Process:

Question 1: Inclusion criteria clarity

  • Women’s Ordination Position: Jurisdictions must oppose ordination of women to priesthood and episcopate
  • Sexual Ethics Position: Jurisdictions must oppose same-sex marriage and ordination of non-celibate LGBTQ individuals
  • Liturgical Standards: Jurisdictions must use traditional prayer books (pre-1979 Episcopal revisions, or approved alternatives such as 2003 REC BCP, 2019 ACNA BCP)

Question 2: Organizational framework Analysis determined that jurisdictions should be categorized by dominant theological tradition (Anglo-Catholic, Reformed Protestant, Broad Church/Mixed) rather than by size, governance model, or relationship to larger bodies. This taxonomic choice reflects the empirical reality that theological tradition is the primary determinant of parish culture and worship experience.

Question 3: Geographic accessibility parameters Decision made to include jurisdictions with minimal U.S. presence but technical availability (e.g., Church of Nigeria North American Mission), as theoretical options remain relevant to comprehensive analysis even when practically inaccessible to most Americans.

Question 4: Boundary cases – ecclesial status Determination that churches outside Anglican ecclesiology (Roman Catholic Personal Ordinariates, Eastern Orthodox, conservative Protestant denominations) should be included in separate “Abandon Ship” category (Part 4).

Question 5: Treatment of declining/heterodox bodies Consensus that The Episcopal Church (TEC), despite being largest Anglican body in U.S., should be categorized under “Abandon Ship” as remaining within TEC as orthodox believer represents functional abandonment of orthodox Anglican witness.

Question 6: Sub-jurisdiction complexity Recognition that Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) operates as both independent jurisdiction (founded 1873) and sub-jurisdiction within ACNA, creating dual identity requiring careful explanation.

Question 7: Organizational structure preference Final determination to organize by theological tradition (Anglo-Catholic → Reformed Protestant → Mixed) with size-based sub-sorting within each category.

Start Reading

Jump to whichever part addresses your immediate questions:

Part 2: Reformed Protestant & Central Church →
REC, UECNA, ACNA, CONNAM – low church and mixed

Part 3: “Abandon Ship” Options →
TEC, Rome, Orthodoxy, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist

Part 4: Analysis & Decision Framework →
Comparison tables, decision matrices, future scenarios

CATEGORY 1: ANGLO-CATHOLIC JURISDICTIONS

Anglican Catholic Church (ACC)

Official Website: https://anglicancatholic.org/

Size and Scope: Approximately 30,000 members worldwide across 250+ parishes and missions globally. U.S. membership estimated at 15,000-20,000 distributed across multiple dioceses. International presence spans six continents and nearly two dozen countries.

Historical Foundation: Emerged from the 1977 Congress of St. Louis, formally organized as unified jurisdiction in 1983. Represents the largest and most internationally distributed body from the Continuing Anglican movement.

Liturgical Standards: Utilizes 1928 American Book of Common Prayer and 1962 Canadian Book of Common Prayer. Maintains traditional Anglican liturgy with Anglo-Catholic ceremonial emphases.

Geographic Distribution: U.S. parishes concentrated in South, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic regions, and California. International dioceses include locations across Americas, United Kingdom, Australia, and Africa. Parish locator available on website.

Ecclesiastical Relationships:

Institutional Vitality Indicators: Stable to modest international growth pattern, particularly in African dioceses. North American parishes demonstrate aging demographic but sustained by international expansion providing institutional ballast. Recent consolidation efforts (ACA merger 2025, Diocese of Holy Cross integration 2021) indicate capacity for addressing historical fragmentation.

Parish Culture and Worship Characteristics:

  • High church ceremonial practice including use of incense, elaborate vestments, reserved sacrament
  • Strong emphasis on seven sacraments as means of grace
  • Anglo-Catholic theological method emphasizing patristic sources and conciliar tradition
  • Scholarly approach to theological education and formation
  • More formal, ritualistic worship style with attention to liturgical detail
  • Use of 1940 Hymnal or similar traditional music sources
  • Liturgical calendar strictly observed with full sanctoral cycle

Institutional Strengths:

  • Clear theological identity rooted in catholic tradition with systematic articulation over 40+ years
  • International scope (six continents, 24+ countries) provides institutional stability through diversified resource base
  • Strong theological education infrastructure through multiple seminaries including Holy Trinity Seminary
  • Well-developed sacramental theology and liturgical practice codified and refined over decades
  • Historical continuity as direct institutional successor to 1977 Continuing Anglican movement founding
  • Recent consolidation efforts (ACA merger 2025, Diocese of Holy Cross 2021) demonstrate institutional maturity
  • Publishing infrastructure via The Trinitarian (published since 1979)
  • St. Paul Mission Society provides organized mission and development capacity
  • Apostolic succession claims validated through multiple lines from pre-1976 Episcopal Church bishops

Institutional Weaknesses:

  • Very small U.S. parish size (typically 20-50 regular attendees) severely limits programming capacity
  • Aging demographic in North American parishes (median age estimated 60+) creates sustainability concerns
  • Limited geographic accessibility; significant U.S. regions have no proximate parishes
  • Anglo-Catholic liturgical tradition culturally unfamiliar to evangelical Anglicans
  • Highly fragmented organizational history (1977-1991 period of splits)
  • January 2025 removal of Fr. Calvin Robinson from ministry created negative publicity
  • Small congregations frequently unable to support full-time clergy
  • Intercommunion relationships remain complex despite improvements

For Further Research:

Anglican Church in America (ACA)

Official Website: https://www.anglicanchurchinamerica.org/

Size and Scope: Approximately 5,200 members distributed across five dioceses.

Historical Foundation: Created in 1991 following extensive negotiations between Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) and American Episcopal Church (AEC). Effort aimed at overcoming disunity in Continuing Anglican movement. Most ACC parishes declined to enter new ACA, resulting in continuing existence for both bodies.

Liturgical Standards: 1928 American Book of Common Prayer used exclusively.

Geographic Distribution: Primarily eastern United States with dioceses including Northeast (DNE), Eastern United States (DEUS), Missouri Valley (DMV), Southwest, and Mid-South. Church locator available.

Ecclesiastical Relationships:

Institutional Vitality Indicators: Declining membership trajectory. Unanimous decision to merge with ACC (2025) represents institutional recognition of inability to sustain independent operations. Some parishes departed 2010-2012 to join Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.

Parish Culture and Worship Characteristics:

  • Anglo-Catholic worship with high ceremonial emphasis
  • Traditional catholic sacramental theology emphasizing real presence and seven sacraments
  • Strong emphasis on apostolic succession and episcopal authority
  • Smaller congregations typically with older demographic
  • Liturgical practice emphasizing beauty, reverence, and traditional forms

Institutional Strengths:

  • Clear Anglo-Catholic theological identity without ambiguity
  • Part of larger G-3 communion arrangement providing broader Anglican connections
  • Merger with ACC (pending) will provide greater institutional stability
  • Traditional liturgical worship appeals to those seeking catholic Anglican expression

Institutional Weaknesses:

  • Extremely small size (5,200 members) makes independent operations difficult
  • History of institutional fragmentation including 1991 split, failed 2010 Rome reunion
  • Aging congregations with limited younger member recruitment
  • Geographic accessibility severely limited
  • Pending merger indicates current institutional weakness
  • Bi-vocational clergy common due to small parish size

Current Status Note: As of October 2025, ACA exists in transitional state pending completion of merger with ACC. Canonical and property transfer processes remain incomplete. Prospective members should verify current status with specific parishes.

For Further Research:

Anglican Province of America (APA)

Official Website: https://anglicanprovince.org/

Size and Scope: Approximately 4,000 members distributed across 56 congregations (2024 data).

Historical Foundation: Founded 1995 under leadership of Bishop Walter Grundorf, following withdrawal of parishes from Anglican Church in America. Historical roots trace to 1968.

Liturgical Standards: 1928 American Book of Common Prayer used exclusively.

Geographic Distribution: Scattered nationally with stronger concentrations in Pacific Northwest and eastern states. Find a Church locator available.

Ecclesiastical Relationships:

Institutional Vitality Indicators: Stable membership with modest fluctuation. Some internal discussions regarding potential reunion with ACC. International mission partnerships show vitality despite small domestic size.

Parish Culture and Worship Characteristics:

  • Anglo-Catholic worship and sacramental theology
  • Emphasis on traditional liturgy with attention to ceremonial detail
  • Generally older, established congregations
  • Strong emphasis on classical Anglican worship and systematic catechetical formation
  • Classical education emphasis – commitment to classical Christian schools
  • International mission focus

Institutional Strengths:

  • Part of G-3 communion providing broader institutional connections
  • Commitment to traditional Anglican formation including classical education initiatives
  • International mission partnerships with sister churches in Philippines, Ecuador, India, Haiti
  • Clear theological and liturgical standards
  • Intercommunion with both Anglo-Catholic (ACC, ACA) and Reformed Protestant (REC) jurisdictions
  • Stable leadership without recent major crises

Institutional Weaknesses:

  • Very small size (56 congregations, ~4,000 members) severely limits resources
  • Aging congregations in many locations
  • Limited geographic reach creates accessibility challenges
  • History of 1995 split from ACA raises stability questions
  • Small size makes long-term economic sustainability challenging
  • Bi-vocational or part-time clergy common
  • International mission partnerships may strain limited domestic resources

For Further Research:

Anglican Province of Christ the King (APCK)

Official Website: https://www.anglicanpck.org/

Size and Scope: Over 40 parishes distributed across three dioceses. Specific membership numbers not publicly available.

Historical Foundation: Founded at 1977 Congress of St. Louis as Diocese of Christ the King. Did not ratify proposed constitution that led to ACC formation. Adopted “Province of Christ the King” name in 1980s.

Liturgical Standards: 1928 Book of Common Prayer exclusively. Musical standards emphasize 1940 Hymnal.

Geographic Distribution: Three dioceses – Western States, Atlantic States, Southwestern States. Sixteen parishes concentrated in California. Parish listing available.

Ecclesiastical Relationships:

  • Intercommunion formally established with Anglican Catholic Church and UECNA in 2007
  • Participated in 2009 joint consecration of three suffragan bishops
  • Current intercommunion status unclear following 2011 unity discussions breakdown

Institutional Vitality Indicators: Website claims jurisdiction is “growing” though specific metrics not provided. Stable leadership transitions.

Parish Culture and Worship Characteristics:

  • Strongly Anglo-Catholic with emphasis on “majestic spirituality”
  • Exclusive use of Shakespearean English (“thee/thou” forms)
  • Seminary-trained clergy from St. Joseph of Arimathea Anglican Theological College (Berkeley, CA)
  • Traditional church music via 1940 Hymnal
  • Emphasis on timeless liturgy reflecting Elizabethan-era forms

Institutional Strengths:

Institutional Weaknesses:

  • Heavy California concentration creates vulnerability
  • Limited national accessibility
  • Smaller overall size limits institutional capacity
  • “Majestic” liturgical style may feel archaic to contemporary seekers
  • Limited publicly available membership data
  • 2007 Eastern Diocese split demonstrates vulnerability to internal divisions
  • Seminary concentration in single location (Berkeley)

For Further Research:

Start Reading

Jump to whichever part addresses your immediate questions:

Part 1: Anglo-Catholic Jurisdictions →
ACC, ACA, APA, APCK – the high church options

Part 2: Reformed Protestant & Central Church →
REC, UECNA, ACNA, CONNAM – low church and mixed

Part 3: “Abandon Ship” Options →
TEC, Rome, Orthodoxy, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist

Part 4: Analysis & Decision Framework →
Comparison tables, decision matrices, future scenarios