Much is being said by the press regarding the Anglican-Episcopal controversy
in the USA. It would be ironic if growth of "the new  Anglican Church"
movement in America became such a force (in voice, numbers, mission, etc.),
that the Episcopal Church USA was relegated to a second tier relationship
with the Archbishop of Canterbury. It wouldn't be the first time that an
American Church went full-cycle. The Methodists divided over slavery, but
reunited decades later when it was no longer an issue. Likewise, the issues
are long gone that brought about a Revolutionary War and created an
Episcopal Church to exist only in the USA.

It appears to me that this is an extended cultural war that is being fought
between those who hold a post-modern world view and those who adhere to a
more traditional, historical perspective of Christianity.  I also find it a
bit ironic that American churches are becoming mission fields for Anglican
bishops in African countries. It appears that Virginia is in the center of
the coming storm. Quite a reversal of roles between Old Virginia and Africa
across four centuries. Food for thought.

Wilmer L. Kerns

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Langdon
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 12:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The beginning of the Episcopal Church

"An act for establishing religious freedom" did not end the Anglican Church
in Virginia - which still exists, theologically.  The Act cut off England as
the *legal authority* over the American Anglicans. What it did do was
eliminate any legal power or authority of the English Church in this
country,  allowed other churches to exist and prevented any Church from
exerting power in the government.  The law in 1785, allowed a new Church to
exist in America - the Episcopal Church - which was officially formed in
1789, and still operates under the *theological authority* of its English
mother church.

  My mother, who studied for the Episcopal priesthood, considers herself
Anglican, and feels a close relationship with the English Church.  But there
is a wide divergence of opinion in the Church today, with one group  forming
the Anglican Church of America a few years ago.  That split was caused in
part by the Church allowing women to help administer the sacraments, as my
mother does, and even to become priests. So, my mother, the Angican, is not
part of the new  Anglican Church, which considers itself true to its English
roots, without  modern updates. The new Church will certainly add more
confusion to the terminology!

  The parish records were kept by the local parish church, and Chapels of
Ease. The Parish reported to the diocese. Many of the old records have been
transfered to the Diocese level, since it was the responsibility of the
local parish to make reports. . In South Carolina, the entire archival
holding was transfered to the SC Historical Society just last year.

  The Vestry, the local governing body at the Parish level, met regularly
and kept records of the activities of the church. I'm sure most of the
Diocese records would pertain to these meetings. If anyone explores the
Diocese records, maybe they could share with this list what other records
are contained in the archives.

  Langdon Hagen-Long


"Donald W. Moore" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
  The Anglican Church was officially disestablished in Virginia by act
of the General Assembly in 1785, "An act for establishing religious
freedom" (Hening 12:84-86).

_________________
Donald W. Moore, CG(sm)
Antecedents(r) LLC
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Member, Association of Professional Genealogists
http://www.apgen.org

Certified Genealogist and CG are service marks of the Board for
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Antecedents is a registered service mark of Antecedents LLC.


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