About
We are an independent, autonomous and self-governing Protestant Episcopal Church of Anglican tradition, committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Episcopal and sacramental tradition, and the values of the English Reformation.
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England (FPEC)
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England (FPEC) is a Church of Anglican and Episcopal tradition, rooted in the ethos of the English Reformation and committed to a contemporary, inclusive and progressive expression of the Christian faith.
The Church was organised in England on 2 November 1897, through the union of three small British episcopates independent of the Church of England, established between the 1860s and 1890s:
* The Ancient British Church, founded in 1866 by the Most Reverend Charles Isaac Stevens;
* The Nazarene Episcopal Church, founded in 1873 by the Most Reverend James Martin and
* The Free Protestant Church of England, founded in 1889 by the Most Reverend Leon Checkemian.
The Most Leon Checkemian (1848–1920), a bishop of Armenian origin who settled in Great Britain and subsequently converted to Anglicanism, was chosen as the first Primus of the new Church, assuming leadership of its episcopal organisation. St Stephen's Church in East Ham served as its Pro-Cathedral.
From its origins, the Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England sought to establish itself as a Church of unity and fellowship among different Protestant groups, whilst preserving the Episcopal and sacramental tradition. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer, the official liturgical reference of the Church of England, became its principal liturgical reference, whilst its canonical organisation was also influenced by the tradition of the Reformed Episcopal Church of Great Britain (The Free Church of England), established in 1878.
In 1917, the Church received recognition in the English courts when one of its members of the clergy was declared exempt from military service on account of his ordination, constituting an important milestone in the public recognition of its existence and ministry.
An Episcopal, Protestant and Free Church
The identity of the FPEC is expressed in its very name.
We are an Episcopal Church because we recognise the historic ministry of bishops and the continuity of ordained ministry as part of the life and unity of the Church.
We are Protestant because we remain rooted in the Reformation in England, affirming the centrality of Jesus Christ, Holy Scripture, grace and Christian freedom.
And we are Free because we value the autonomy of communities and responsible freedom in the organisation of ecclesial life, ministry and mission.
The FPEC seeks to preserve the richness of the Anglican tradition without being confined by the forms and debates of any particular period. Its identity combines tradition and renewal, continuity and freedom, sacramental spirituality and openness to the contemporary world.
Faith, Theology and Spirituality
Our theological identity draws upon the Anglican tradition of the Via Media, seeking a balanced expression of the Christian faith between the different traditions of the Reformation, particularly the Lutheran and Calvinist traditions.
Our spirituality values Holy Scripture, the sacraments, Christian tradition, reason and freedom of conscience, seeking to live out a balanced expression of faith in continuity with, and inspired by, the Anglican tradition.
The Church has its own 35 Articles of Religion, conceived as a contemporary and contextualised re-reading of the tradition of the 39 Articles of Religion of the Church of England. Through them, we seek to express a faith that remains faithful to its historic roots whilst also engaging responsibly with the questions and challenges of the modern world.
The FPEC embraces an inclusive, progressive and ecumenical vision, recognising that the Christian tradition can be preserved whilst also being responsibly interpreted in response to the changing circumstances of society.
Our liturgical life may take different forms, including Liturgical and Sacramental (High Church), Evangelical (Low Church), Broad Church and Charismatic traditions. This diversity of forms of worship is understood as a richness of Christian life rather than a threat to the unity of the Church.
The Mother Church and Focus of Unity of the Worldwide Communion
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England (FPEC) is the original and Mother Church of the Worldwide Communion of the Free Protestant Episcopal Church, maintaining its historic identity and traditional name since its organisation in England in 1897.
From the FPEC developed a Worldwide Communion of free Episcopal and Anglican churches, comprising autonomous and self-governing Churches, communities and families of churches in different parts of the world. Each member Church has its own organisation, governance, ministry and property, whilst preserving its local autonomy and identity.
Although autonomous, the Churches of the Communion look to the Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England as their Mother Church, historic reference and focus of unity, remaining united through a common faith, the Episcopal tradition, the ethos of the English Reformation, fraternal fellowship and a common mission.
The Archbishop Primus of the FPEC likewise exercises a ministry of service and focus of unity within the Worldwide Communion, fostering fellowship, co-operation and communion among the member Churches, without interfering with their autonomy or self-government.
Thus, the FPEC occupies a unique position within the Communion: it is both an autonomous Church in its own life and the Mother Church and historic reference point of unity for the Churches that comprise the Worldwide Communion.
Since 10 March 2025, the Most Reverend Ricardo Lorite de Lima has served as Archbishop Primus of the Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England and of the Worldwide Communion, serving as a visible expression of this unity and historic continuity.
Our Mission
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England exists to proclaim Jesus Christ, celebrate the faith, serve our neighbour, promote reconciliation and bear witness to the love of God in the world.
We seek to be:
faithful to tradition and open to the future;
Protestant in our identity and Episcopal in our structure;
sacramental in our spirituality and free in our organisation;
inclusive in our welcome and Christian in our mission.
We believe that the Church should be a place where people can find faith, hope, welcome, community and meaning, walking together in the footsteps of Christ and placing their gifts at the service of others.
A Church of Tradition and Renewal
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England (FPEC) remains faithful to its historic heritage whilst looking to the future with hope.
We are a Church seeking to unite tradition and renewal, freedom and fellowship, faith and reason, spirituality and service.
Welcome to the FPEC.
"The love of Christ is the bond that unites us."
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England — FPEC
Tradition • Freedom • Fellowship • Mission