Church in the UK
What are the main Christian denominations in the UK?
The largest are the Church of England and its sister Anglican churches, the Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland. Alongside them are Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed, Pentecostal, Orthodox and many independent churches. They differ in style and organisation and agree on the core of the faith.
What they have in common
All of these churches believe in one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again, and that the Bible is God’s word. Those shared beliefs are far more important than the differences.
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
The main churches
- Church of England. The established church in England, with a parish covering every community. It is Anglican, led by bishops, and ranges widely in style. Its sister churches are the Church in Wales, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church of Ireland.
- Catholic Church. Part of the worldwide church led by the Pope. Its worship centres on the Mass.
- Church of Scotland. Scotland’s national church, often called the Kirk. It is Presbyterian, which means it is governed by ministers and elders and has no bishops.
- Methodist Church. It grew out of the eighteenth-century preaching of John and Charles Wesley, and is known for hymn-singing and social concern.
- Baptist churches. Each congregation governs itself. They baptise believers only, by immersion.
- United Reformed Church. Formed in 1972 by the union of Presbyterian and Congregational churches.
- Pentecostal and charismatic churches. These include Elim, the Assemblies of God and many Black-majority churches. They emphasise the work of the Holy Spirit and lively worship, and have grown strongly in recent decades.
- Orthodox churches. Greek, Russian, Romanian and others, with ancient forms of worship.
- The Salvation Army. Founded in the East End of London in 1865, and known for its work among people in need.
- Independent evangelical churches. Many congregations belong to no denomination, or to loose networks.
- In Northern Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is the largest Protestant church.
Why are there so many?
The reasons are mostly historical. The eastern and western churches divided in 1054. In the sixteenth century the Reformation divided western Europe into Catholic and Protestant, and in England the church broke with Rome under Henry VIII. Later movements such as Methodism began as renewals within existing churches and became separate bodies. The disagreements were about real matters, including authority, the sacraments and how churches should be governed.
Relations today are far warmer than they once were. In most towns the churches work and pray together, often through a local Churches Together group. Jesus prayed that his followers would be one:
Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
Groups that differ on the essentials
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) use Christian language but do not accept the doctrine of the Trinity as the historic creeds state it. For that reason the churches listed above do not regard them as part of mainstream Christianity.
Does it matter which I join?
The label matters less than the particular church. A good congregation in any of these traditions will teach the Bible, point you to Jesus and help you grow. Visit, listen and ask questions.