National church facts for kids
The term national church usually means a church organization that is connected to a specific nation or country. It's like a church that sees itself as representing the people of that country.
It's important not to confuse a national church with a state church. A state church is officially supported or even controlled by the government. But a national church doesn't have to be. Sometimes, a national church might even be treated badly by the government, like some Orthodox churches were under communist rule.
For example, the Episcopal Church in the United States of America considers itself the national church of the United States. In Catholicism, the term "national church" can sometimes mean a church that serves immigrants from a particular country.
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What is a National Church?
A national church is a Christian church that feels a special connection to a country. It often has a long history there and plays a big role in the country's culture. These churches usually have members all over the nation.
How is it Different from a State Church?
Imagine a school club. A "state church" is like a club that the school officially runs and funds. A "national church" is more like a very popular club that many students join, even if the school doesn't officially manage it or give it special money.
A national church doesn't need the government's official approval. It might even exist and thrive even if the government doesn't like it. The main idea is that it serves the people of a nation.
Countries with National Churches
Many countries around the world have churches that are considered "national churches." These churches are often deeply rooted in the history and traditions of their nations. Here are some examples:
A
- Armenia – Armenian Apostolic Church
- Australia – Uniting Church in Australia, Anglican Church of Australia
- Austria – Roman Catholic Church
B
- Bangladesh – Church of Bangladesh
- Bermuda – United Church of Bermuda
- Brazil – Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church
- Bulgaria – Bulgarian Orthodox Church
C
- Canada – United Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Canada
- China (PRC) – Three-Self Patriotic Movement, China Christian Council, Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association
- Cyprus – Orthodox Church of Cyprus
- Czech Republic – Czechoslovak Hussite Church
- Congo (Democratic Republic) – Church of Christ in Congo
D
- Denmark – Church of Denmark
E
- Egypt – Coptic Orthodox Church
- England – Church of England
- Eritrea – Eritrean Orthodox Church
- Ethiopia – Ethiopian Orthodox Church
F
G
- Georgia – Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church
- Germany – Evangelical Church in Germany
- Greece – Greek Orthodox Church
H
- Hungary – Reformed Church in Hungary
I
- Iceland – Lutheran Evangelical Church
- India – Church of North India, Church of South India, Indian Orthodox Church and Mar Thoma Church
- Indonesia – Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja di Indonesia Communion of Indonesian Churches (Reformed and Lutherans)
- Iraq – Assyrian Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church
- Ireland – Celtic Church, Church of Ireland
- Israel/Palestinian territories – Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land
- Italy – Roman Catholic Church, Lombardy, Ambrosian Catholic Church
J
K
- Kiribati – Kiribati Congregational Church
L
M
- Madagascar – Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar
- Malta – Maltese Catholic Church
- Macedonia, Republic – Macedonian Orthodox Church
- Mexico – Iglesia Catolica Apostolica Mexicana (ICAM), Hostia Sangrante www.sagradahostia.org
N
- Namibia – United Evangelical Church of Namibia
- Nauru – Nauru Congregational Church
- Netherlands – Protestant Church in the Netherlands
- New Zealand – Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia; Maori Ratana Church
- Nicaragua – Miskitos Moravian Church
- Nigeria – National Association of Aladura Churches, Church of Nigeria
- Norway – Church of Norway
P
- Pakistan – Church of Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea – United Church in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
- Philippines – Philippine Independent Church
- Poland – Polish Catholic Church
- Portugal – Lusitanian Catholic Apostolic Evangelical Church
R
- Romania – The Romanian Orthodox Church used to see itself as the national church. However, since 2004, it has given up this claim to fit with the country's secular (non-religious) constitution.
- Russia – Russian Orthodox Church
S
- Samoa – Congregational Christian Church in Samoa
- Serbia – Serbian Orthodox Church
- Scotland – Church of Scotland
- Solomon Island – United Church of Solomon Islands
- South Africa – Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk – Afrikaner Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, Anglican Church of Southern Africa
- Spain – Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church
- Sweden – Church of Sweden
- Switzerland – Swiss Reformed Church – in some areas called cantons
- Syria – Syriac Orthodox Church Jacobite, Syrian Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch
T
U
- Ukraine – Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
- United States – Episcopal Church in the United States of America, Orthodox Church in America, United Church of Christ, Communion of Christ the Redeemer, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; National Catholic Church of America (Polish)
V
Z
- Zambia – Uniting Church of Zambia
Images for kids
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A church in Denmark with its flag flying.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia nacional para niños
