Reformed Episcopal Church (North America)
Reformed Episcopal Church
The Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) is a historic Anglican jurisdiction founded in 1873 and now a sub‐jurisdiction of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). It is committed to maintaining the classical Anglican heritage—evangelical, creedally anchored, liturgical, sacramental and episcopal.
History
The REC was organised on December 2, 1873, in New York City by eight clergymen and twenty laymen who had formerly been members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. They concluded that their former Church had drifted from its evangelical and catholic foundations. The Rt Rev George David Cummins, Assistant Bishop of Kentucky in PECUSA, assisted at a Communion service at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church—an event which catalysed the schism. He became the founding Bishop of the REC, preserving historic episcopal succession.
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Mission & Doctrine
In its foundational Declaration of Principles (1873) and subsequent doctrinal statements, the REC emphasises:
- The supremacy of Holy Scripture as the Word of God written.
- The reception of the historic creeds: the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian.
- The assent to the first four ecumenical councils and the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (in their 1801 form). :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Evangelism: the bold and unadulterated proclamation of salvation by grace through faith. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Discipleship: training men and women in Christian living (Matt 28:20, Rom 12:1). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Liturgical, sacramental, and episcopal order: using the historic Book of Common Prayer, practising Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and maintaining the historic episcopate. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Structure & Dioceses
In the United States and Canada, the REC is divided into four geographical dioceses, each under a Bishop Ordinary and a Standing Committee. These dioceses are:
- Diocese of the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic (with the Convocation of Eastern Canada)
- Diocese of the Southeast
- Diocese of the Central States
- Diocese of Mid-America (with the Convocation of the West & Western Canada) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
In addition, the REC has overseas dioceses in Croatia, Cuba and Germany. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Missions & Global Work
The REC supports church-planting and missionary work in many countries, including Brazil, Croatia, Cuba, Germany, India, Nigeria, Liberia and Serbia. It partners with organisations such as the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (USA) (SAMS USA) and the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Theological Education
Since its founding, the REC has prioritized theological education and the training of ministers. Current institutions include:
- United States: Reformed Episcopal Seminary (Philadelphia, PA); Cummins Theological Seminary (Summerville, SC); Cranmer Theological House (Houston/Dallas, TX) :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
- Europe: Michael Starin Theological Seminary (Croatia); St Benedict Theological Seminary (Germany) :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
Ecumenical Relationships
The REC is a component jurisdiction of the ACNA. It is also in full communion with the Free Church of England (Reformed Episcopal Church in England) and maintains relations with other orthodox Anglican bodies, such as the Anglican Province of America and the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}