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 http://www.antecedents.com Member, Association of Professional Genealogists http://www.apgen.org Certified Genealogist and CG are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists(r) and used here under license. Antecedents is a registered service mark of Antecedents LLC. To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html