Free Church of England facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Free Church of England |
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| Classification | Protestant |
| Scripture | Christian Bible |
| Theology | Low Church Anglicanism |
| Polity | Episcopal |
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| Full Communion | Reformed Episcopal Church |
| Origin | 1844 |
| Separated from | Church of England |
| Congregations | 18 |
The Free Church of England (FCE) is a Christian church in England. It is led by bishops, similar to how some other churches are organized. The FCE was started in the mid-1800s when some church groups separated from the Church of England.
The FCE follows many traditions of the Anglican church. This includes its beliefs, how it is organized, its worship style, and its leaders. However, it is not part of the main Anglican Communion. The FCE uses the Book of Common Prayer for its services. It also uses other modern worship books that follow Anglican traditions.
The Church of England sees the FCE as a proper church with valid leaders. Its rules allow for some shared activities and services between the two churches.
Contents
History of the Free Church of England
The Free Church of England was mainly founded by Evangelical clergy and church members. They were worried about new ideas in the Church of England, known as the Oxford Movement. This movement seemed to bring back some older Catholic practices. The FCE wanted to keep a simpler, more Protestant way of worship.
The first FCE church group started in 1844. It was led by Reverend James Shore in Bridgetown, Devon.
In its early years, the FCE often got its clergy from the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion. This group had started in the 1700s. It kept many Anglican traditions, like using the surplice (a white robe) and the Book of Common Prayer.
The first bishop of the FCE was Benjamin Price. He looked after all the new church groups. In 1874, the FCE connected with the Reformed Episcopal Church in North America.
In 1956, the FCE updated its Book of Common Prayer. The goal was to make sure the prayer book clearly showed their beliefs. They wanted to remove or explain parts that seemed to support ideas they disagreed with.
Church Leaders and Organization
The Free Church of England has three types of leaders: deacons, presbyters (also called priests), and bishops. Only men can become these leaders in the FCE. Since 2013, the Church of England has officially recognized the FCE's leaders as valid.
The FCE is currently working on creating new worship books in modern language. The church continues to appoint bishops in a way that connects them to early Christian leaders. Sometimes, bishops from other churches, like the Moravian Church, have taken part in these appointments.
Church Locations and Growth
In the early 1900s, the FCE grew and had about 90 church groups. After the Second World War, like many other churches in the UK, its numbers went down. However, in recent years, the number of FCE church groups has started to increase again. There are currently 18 churches in the UK.
Northern Churches
The Northern Diocese covers churches in the northern part of England and the Isle of Man. Bishops who have led this diocese include:
- William Troughton (until 1917)
- Frank Vaughan (1927–1958)
- Thomas Cameron (1958–1967)
- James Burrell (1967–1973)
- Cyril Milner (1973–1998)
- Arthur Bentley-Taylor (1999–2003)
- John McLean (2003–2006)
- John Fenwick (2006–present)
Some of the churches in the Northern Diocese include:
- St George, Mill Hill in Blackburn, Lancashire (founded 1907)
- Emmanuel, Morecambe in Morecambe, Lancashire (founded 1886)
- Holy Trinity, Oswaldtwistle in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire (founded 1870)
- St John with Trinity, Tottington in Tottington, Greater Manchester (founded 1853)
- St David, Preston in Preston, Lancashire (founded 1939)
- Christ Church, Liscard in Liscard, Merseyside (founded 1880)
- St Augustine, Isle of Man in Douglas, Isle of Man (joined FCE 2020)
- Impact Community Church in Hollinwood, Greater Manchester
Southern Churches
The Southern Diocese covers churches in the southern parts of England. Bishops who have led this diocese include:
- Benjamin Price (1889–1896)
- Samuel Dicksee (1896–1901)
- Richard Brook Lander (1904–1927)
- Joseph Fenn (1927–1934)
- John Magee (1934–1955)
- George Forbes-Smith (1955–1968)
- Ambrose Bodfish (1968–1971)
- William Watkins (1972–1976)
- Arthur Ward (1977–1990)
- Kenneth Powell (1990–2006)
- Paul Hunt (2007–present)
Some of the churches in the Southern Diocese include:
- St Jude, Balham in Balham, London (founded 1887)
- St Andrew, Bentley in Bentley, West Midlands (founded 1943)
- St Jude, Chuckery in Walsall, West Midlands (founded 1909)
- Emmanuel, Birmingham in Saltley, West Midlands (founded 1903)
- Christ Church, Broadstairs in Broadstairs, Kent (founded 1904)
- Christ Church, Harlesden in Harlesden, London (founded 1886)
- Christ Church, Willesborough in Willesborough, Ashford, Kent (founded 1874)
- St Francis, Shoreham-by-Sea in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex (founded 2012)
- St Paul's, Bexhill-on-Sea in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex (joined FCE 2021)
Working with Other Churches
In January 2013, the Church of England officially recognized the FCE's holy orders (its system of clergy). This means that FCE clergy can sometimes be allowed to lead services in the Church of England. FCE bishops can also perform some duties for the Church of England if asked. This recognition helps both churches work together.
The FCE is in full communion with the Reformed Episcopal Church in North America. This means they share beliefs and practices. In the UK, the FCE is part of the Free Churches Group and Churches Together in England. These groups help different Christian churches work together.
FCE bishops have attended important events, like the enthronements of Archbishops of Canterbury. Since 2013, the FCE has also been talking with other conservative Christian groups.
Anglican Realignment
The FCE has been involved in a movement called the Anglican realignment. This movement brings together Anglican churches around the world that share similar traditional beliefs. In 2009, the FCE was part of starting the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in the UK. This group is part of a larger global movement called the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
In 2013, Bishop John Fenwick of the FCE attended the second GAFCON conference in Nairobi. The FCE continues to be involved in discussions about the future of traditional Anglicanism.
In 2016, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) officially declared full communion with the Free Church of England. This means they recognize each other's churches, clergy, and sacraments. They also promised to work together to share the Christian message around the world.
