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The '''Church of England''' (the mother church of the ''Anglican Church'') is the English national church that traces its history back to the sixth century in England. Under King [[Henry VIII]] England broke with Rome and formed a [[denomination]] that became part of the [[Protestant]] [[Reformation]]. It contains High Church elements (similar in ritual to the Roman Catholics), Low Church elements (similar to Methodists), and a Broad Church middle.  It is part of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]].  

The '''Church of England''' (the mother church of the ''Anglican Church'') is the English national church that traces its history back to the sixth century in England. Under King [[Henry VIII]] England broke with Rome and formed a [[denomination]] that became part of the [[Protestant]] [[Reformation]]. It contains High Church elements (similar in ritual to the Roman Catholics), Low Church elements (similar to Methodists), and a Broad Church middle.  It is part of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]].  

[[Image:Canterbury.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Canterbury Cathedral]] is the mother church of the Church of England]]

[[Image:Canterbury.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Canterbury Cathedral]] is the mother church of the Church of England]]

 

[[Image:Chester.jpg|thumb|350px|Chester Cathedral]]

[[Image:Chester.jpg|thumb|350px|Chester Cathedral]]

The church was formally organised by King [[Henry VIII]] of [[England]]. Like Oriental and Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (and unlike Protestant churches), Anglicans maintain authority within the church through [[Apostolic succession]].

The church was formally organised by King [[Henry VIII]] of [[England]]. Like Oriental and Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (and unlike Protestant churches), Anglicans maintain authority within the church through [[Apostolic succession]].

The principal book of worship in Anglican churches is the [[Book of Common Prayer]].  Most churches in England still follow the liturgy set down in it, despite moves to modernize the language - all of which were rejected by the Bishops.  

The principal book of worship in Anglican churches is the [[Book of Common Prayer]].  Most churches in England still follow the liturgy set down in it, despite moves to modernize the language - all of which were rejected by the Bishops.  

The Church of England is referred to as the "established church" of England. At the time of the [[American Revolution]], it was a legal requirement in England that all public officials, including university professors, take an oath to uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England.  There were no such requirements in the colonies, but the Church of England was established and tax supported in the five southern colonies.  They were disestablished during the Revolution.<ref> This is what the [[United States Constitution|US Constitution]] is referring to when it says in Article VI that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States" and in the [[Bill of Rights]] when it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."</ref>

The Church of England is referred to as the "established church" of England. At the time of the [[American Revolution]], it was a legal requirement in England that all public officials, including university professors, take an oath to uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England.  There were no such requirements in the colonies, but the Church of England was established and tax supported in some southern colonies.  It was disestablished during the American Revolution. The Church was in disarray during the Revolution, as many leaders returned to England. After the war it slowly rebuilt as the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]].

 

===Protestant Experimentalists (group of Anglican modernists)===

===Protestant Experimentalists (group of Anglican modernists)===