Christian Denominations and Faith Traditions

Topics

The Largest Christian Denominations in AmericaThe largest Christian denominations in America, ranked: who has the most members, the most congregations, and which churches are growing.
List of Protestant Denominations in AmericaA reference list of Protestant denominations in America, grouped by family, with when each began, how big it is and what makes it distinct.
What Are Mainline Protestant Churches?Mainline Protestant churches are the historic denominations, such as the United Methodists, ELCA and Episcopalians, that once dominated American religious life.
What Is a Christian Denomination?A denomination is a group of congregations that share a name, beliefs and governance. Here is why there are so many and how they differ.
The Family Tree of Christian DenominationsHow one early church became thousands of denominations: the Christian denominations family tree, branch by branch, from Chalcedon to today.
Unitarian Universalism ExplainedUnitarian Universalism grew out of two Christian movements in New England and became a creedless faith united by shared principles.
The Moravian Church: History and BeliefsThe Moravian Church is one of the oldest Protestant churches, older than Luther's Reformation, and still keeps its lovefeasts and candle services in America.

The Catholic Church

The History of the Catholic Church in AmericaThe history of the Catholic Church in America spans five centuries, from Spanish missions to the largest church body in the United States.
What Do Catholics Believe? Core Catholic Beliefs ExplainedWhat do Catholics believe? A plain-English guide to the core teachings of the Catholic Church, from the sacraments to Mary, the saints and purgatory.
Where Catholics Live: Catholic Churches by StateCalifornia, Texas and New York have the most Catholics; Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Jersey have the highest share. Here is how that map formed.
Parishes, Dioceses and Archdioceses: How the Catholic Church Is OrganizedThe distinction of a Catholic diocese vs archdiocese reflects how the Catholic Church organizes its geographic territory, connecting local parishes to bishops, archbishops and Rome.
The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic ChurchThe seven sacraments of the Catholic Church provide outward signs of inward grace instituted by Christ, guiding believers from infancy through adulthood, marriage, sickness and death.
Eastern Catholic Churches: Byzantine, Maronite and Other Rites in AmericaEastern Catholic churches represent autonomous particular churches in full communion with the Pope, preserving ancient Byzantine, Antiochene, and Alexandrian liturgical traditions across the United States.

Baptist Churches

The History of the Baptist ChurchThe history of the Baptist church spans four centuries of passionate advocacy for believer's baptism, congregational autonomy, and religious freedom, shaping the religious fabric of the United States.
What Do Baptists Believe? Baptist Beliefs ExplainedBaptist doctrine centers on the supreme authority of the Bible, salvation by grace through faith, believer's baptism by immersion, and the complete autonomy of each local congregation.
Where Baptists Live: Baptist Churches by StateBaptists form the demographic core of religious life in the American South, where generations of revivalism established deep congregational roots that extend across Texas, North Carolina, and the Deep South.
Types of Baptist Churches: Southern, American, National, Independent and MoreThe Baptist family encompasses dozens of distinct denominations and independent networks, ranging from conservative Southern Baptists and historic Black conventions to moderate fellowships and Calvinist assemblies.
The Southern Baptist Convention: History, Beliefs and SizeThe Southern Baptist Convention is America's largest Protestant denomination, uniting tens of thousands of autonomous churches through cooperative missions, biblical inerrancy, and annual messenger meetings.
The National Baptist Convention and Black Baptist ChurchesBlack Baptist churches have served as the spiritual, educational, and political heart of African American life for centuries, organizing independent conventions that champion civil rights and evangelical faith.

Methodist Churches

The History of the Methodist ChurchThe history of the Methodist Church spans three centuries of spiritual renewal, transforming from an Oxford student society into America's largest nineteenth-century denomination and shaping national culture.
What Do Methodists Believe? Methodist Beliefs ExplainedMethodist doctrine centers on the universal love of God, salvation by grace through faith, continuous growth in personal and social holiness, and the open communion table welcoming all who seek Christ.
Where Methodists Live: Methodist Churches by StateMethodists are distributed across virtually every county in the United States, anchored by a historic belt running from the Mid-Atlantic through the Midwest and deep into the South.
The United Methodist Split and the Global Methodist Church ExplainedThe United Methodist split reshaped American Protestantism between 2019 and 2024, as more than 7,600 congregations disaffiliated over theological and social debates, giving birth to the Global Methodist Church.
The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church: History and BeliefsThe African Methodist Episcopal Church is America's first independent Black denomination, established by Richard Allen in 1816 to provide spiritual dignity, higher education, and passionate advocacy for racial justice.
John Wesley: The Founder of MethodismJohn Wesley was an eighteenth-century Anglican priest whose passionate outdoor preaching, disciplined small-group societies, and theological focus on grace and holiness sparked a global Christian revival movement.

Lutheran Churches

The History of the Lutheran ChurchLutheran church history began with Martin Luther's sixteenth-century protest in Germany, expanding across Europe and North America into diverse synods that balanced confessional heritage with American culture.
What Do Lutherans Believe? Lutheran Beliefs ExplainedTo understand what Lutherans believe, one must examine core convictions of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ, grounded in Scripture, the sacraments, and the distinction between Law and Gospel.
Where Lutherans Live: Lutheran Churches by StateIdentifying the states with the most Lutherans reveals a distinctive geographic footprint anchored in the Upper Midwest, historic Pennsylvania settlements, and growing Sun Belt congregations across Texas and Florida.
Lutheran Synods in America: ELCA, LCMS, WELS and OthersLutheran synods represent distinct ecclesiastical bodies in America, ranging from the mainline ELCA to confessional bodies like the LCMS and WELS, differing over biblical authority, ordination, and communion.
Martin Luther and the 95 ThesesMartin Luther's 95 Theses ignited the Protestant Reformation in 1517 by challenging medieval papal indulgences, recovering biblical justification by faith, and transforming church history across Europe and America.
Why the Upper Midwest Is Lutheran CountryThe concentration of Lutherans in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, and Iowa created an enduring regional culture, shaped by nineteenth-century immigrant pioneers, church colleges, and rural parish networks.

Presbyterian and Reformed Churches

The History of the Presbyterian ChurchPresbyterian church history traces from sixteenth-century Geneva and Scotland to colonial America, forging a tradition defined by representative elder governance, covenant theology, and rigorous intellectual leadership.
What Do Presbyterians Believe? Presbyterian Beliefs ExplainedTo understand what Presbyterians believe, one must explore reformed theology, centered on the absolute sovereignty of God, salvation by grace through faith, covenant theology, and representative government by elders.
Where Presbyterians Live: Presbyterian and Reformed Churches by StateMapping the Presbyterian population by state reveals deep historical roots in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic, strong Scots-Irish corridors in the South, and Dutch Reformed communities across Michigan and Iowa.
PCUSA, PCA, EPC, ECO: Presbyterian Denominations ExplainedMajor Presbyterian denominations in America span mainline bodies like the PCUSA, conservative groups like the PCA, and evangelical bodies like EPC and ECO, divided by theology, ordination, and biblical authority.
Reformed Churches in America: RCA, CRC and the Dutch Reformed TraditionThe Reformed Church in America represents the oldest continuous Protestant body in North America, sharing continental Calvinist theology and the Three Forms of Unity with the Christian Reformed Church.
John Calvin and Calvinism ExplainedTo answer what is Calvinism, one must explore John Calvin's work in Geneva, the absolute sovereignty of God, the five points of TULIP, and its active presence in Presbyterian, Reformed, and Baptist congregations.

Evangelical and Non-Denominational Churches

What Is a Non-Denominational Church?A non denominational church operates independently of traditional denominational hierarchies, combining evangelical theology, local elder leadership, and contemporary worship in a rapidly expanding religious movement.
What Is an Evangelical Christian?Defining what is an evangelical Christian requires examining David Bebbington's four theological marks—biblicism, crucicentrism, conversionism, and activism—alongside its complex cultural and political presence.
The History of Evangelicalism in AmericaThe history of evangelicalism in America traces a path from colonial Great Awakenings and frontier revivalism to mid-century neo-evangelical renewal and the explosive rise of modern non-denominational megachurches.
Where Non-Denominational Churches Are Growing: A State-by-State LookMapping non denominational churches by state reveals explosive growth across the Sun Belt and Western states, where independent evangelical congregations thrive in rapidly expanding suburbs and urban centers.
The Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA)The Evangelical Free Church of America unites Scandinavian pietist heritage with evangelical theology, emphasizing local congregational freedom and essential gospel unity across its nationwide fellowship.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance ExplainedThe Christian and Missionary Alliance is an evangelical denomination centered on the Fourfold Gospel of Jesus Christ and a global passion for taking the message of salvation to unreached peoples worldwide.

Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches

The History of PentecostalismThe history of Pentecostalism chronicles how a twentieth-century revival—ignited in Topeka and Los Angeles—transformed modern Christianity through baptism in the Holy Spirit, divine healing, and expressive worship.
What Do Pentecostals Believe? Pentecostal Beliefs ExplainedWhat Pentecostals believe is anchored in classical Christian orthodoxy alongside the distinctive conviction that all supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit remain fully active in the church today.
Where Pentecostals Live: Pentecostal Churches by StatePentecostal churches by state reveal a dynamic geographic distribution, combining deep roots across the American South with rapid suburban and urban growth fueled by Hispanic and immigrant congregations in the West.
The Assemblies of God: History and BeliefsThe Assemblies of God is the largest Pentecostal body in the world, founded in 1914 as a cooperative fellowship emphasizing Spirit baptism, divine healing, and aggressive global missionary evangelism.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC): History and BeliefsThe Church of God in Christ is the largest Pentecostal body in the United States, founded by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason and rooted in Holiness theology, Spirit baptism, and an unmatched gospel music heritage.
The Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) ExplainedThe Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) is one of the oldest and largest classical Pentecostal denominations in America, originating in the Appalachian mountains in 1886 as a Holiness fellowship.

Episcopal and Anglican Churches

The History of the Episcopal ChurchEpiscopal Church history traces the evolution of the Church of England in America from colonial Jamestown to an autonomous national communion that shaped American democracy, culture, and religious life.
What Do Episcopalians Believe?What Episcopalians believe is rooted in the Anglican middle way—a living synthesis of ancient Catholic sacramental worship, Protestant Reformation convictions, and the guiding triad of Scripture, tradition, and reason.
Where Episcopalians Live: Episcopal and Anglican Churches by StateEpiscopal churches by state reflect a geographic distribution anchored in colonial Virginia, Maryland, and New England, while maintaining influential parishes and growing Anglican networks in major cities nationwide.
The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) ExplainedThe Anglican Church in North America was established in 2009 by traditional Anglicans and former Episcopalians committed to orthodox theology, biblical authority, and historic prayer book worship.
The Book of Common Prayer ExplainedThe Book of Common Prayer is the liturgical masterpiece of the Anglican tradition, uniting millions of believers in shared daily prayer, sacramental worship, and timeless English prose since the Reformation.
The Anglican Communion ExplainedThe Anglican Communion is a global family of 42 autonomous national and regional churches uniting over 85 million Christians worldwide in shared liturgical heritage, historic episcopacy, and common prayer.

Churches of Christ and Christian Churches

The Restoration Movement: History of Churches of Christ and Christian ChurchesThe Restoration Movement arose during the Second Great Awakening as an indigenous American effort to abolish denominational creeds and restore the simple doctrine, worship, and unity of the New Testament church.
What Do Churches of Christ Believe?Distinctive Church of Christ beliefs emphasize restoring apostolic Christianity through adherence to New Testament doctrine, weekly observance of the Lord's Supper, and congregational autonomy under elders.
Why Do Churches of Christ Sing Without Instruments?The Church of Christ a cappella worship tradition is rooted in apostolic scripture, early church history, and a conviction that corporate praise requires only the human voice offered in four-part harmony.
Where Churches of Christ Are: A State-by-State LookA geographic analysis of Churches of Christ by state highlights a dense presence across the American South and Southwest, anchored by historic centers in Nashville and Abilene along with leading Christian universities.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) ExplainedThe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) represents the mainline, progressive branch of the American Restoration Movement, characterized by weekly open communion, theological freedom, and active ecumenical ministry.
Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ (Instrumental)An Independent Christian Church combines Restoration Movement principles with evangelical theology, featuring weekly communion, believer's immersion, modern instrumental worship, and strict congregational autonomy.

Holiness Churches and the Church of the Nazarene

The Church of the Nazarene: History and BeliefsThe Church of the Nazarene emerged from the American Holiness revival as a global Wesleyan communion committed to entire sanctification, compassionate evangelism, and representative church government.
The Holiness Movement ExplainedThe Holiness movement transformed American Christianity through an intense revival of Wesleyan perfectionism, emphasizing entire sanctification, consecrated moral standards, and compassionate urban mission.
The Wesleyan Church ExplainedThe Wesleyan Church is an evangelical holiness denomination formed from nineteenth-century abolitionist roots and a 1968 merger, dedicated to entire sanctification, biblical authority, and active Christian ministry.
The Salvation Army as a Church: Beliefs and WorshipBeyond its famous thrift stores and red kettles, the Salvation Army church operates as a global holiness denomination featuring military-style structure, spirited brass bands, and weekly Sunday corps worship.
The Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) ExplainedThe Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) is an evangelical holiness fellowship founded in 1881 that rejects sectarianism, teaching Christian unity, entire sanctification, and ordinances including feet washing.
Where Holiness and Nazarene Churches Are: A State-by-State LookA geographic survey of Nazarene churches by state highlights a dual concentration: historic roots across the Midwestern Holiness Belt and substantial growth along the Pacific coast and Western plains.

Orthodox Christianity

The History of Orthodox Christianity in AmericaThe Orthodox Church in America history spans more than two centuries, beginning with Russian missionaries in Alaska and evolving through mass immigration, multi-ethnic jurisdictions, and an influx of modern converts.
What Do Orthodox Christians Believe?Orthodox Christian beliefs preserve the ancient faith of the early apostolic church, centered on Holy Tradition, the Nicene Creed without the filioque, the transformative path of theosis, and the seven Holy Mysteries.
The Greek Orthodox Church in AmericaThe Greek Orthodox Church in America is the largest Eastern Orthodox body in the United States, tracing its roots to 1864 and preserving Byzantine worship and active community life under the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) ExplainedThe Orthodox Church in America is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox jurisdiction with roots in the 1794 Alaskan mission, distinguished by English-language liturgical worship and a mission to serve all Americans.
The Antiochian Orthodox Church in AmericaThe Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese bridges ancient biblical Antioch with modern American evangelism, known for welcoming converts, English-language liturgies, and unique Western Rite parishes.
Oriental Orthodox Churches: Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopian and SyriacOriental Orthodox churches represent an ancient family of Eastern Christian bodies that diverged after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, preserving apostolic liturgies across expanding American diaspora parishes.

Seventh-day Adventists

The History of the Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSeventh-day Adventist history traces back to the nineteenth-century Millerite revival, surviving the 1844 Great Disappointment to emerge as a global movement with more than twenty-two million members worldwide.
What Do Seventh-day Adventists Believe?Seventh-day Adventist beliefs center on traditional Protestant doctrines of grace and Scripture alongside distinctive teachings on the seventh-day Sabbath, the sanctuary, and the mortal state of the dead.
Why Do Adventists Worship on Saturday?The theological reasons why Adventists worship on Saturday center on the biblical fourth commandment, the example of Jesus Christ, and historical changes to Christian worship practices after the apostolic era.
The Adventist Health Message: Diet, Loma Linda and the Blue ZonesThe biblical Adventist diet emphasizes plant-based nutrition, temperance, and holistic wellness, contributing to the renowned longevity of the Loma Linda Blue Zone and inspiring a worldwide healthcare network.
Where Seventh-day Adventists Live: Adventist Churches by StateThe geographic presence of Adventist churches by state reveals a unique map anchored by major universities and medical centers, with strong concentrations along the West Coast, in Florida, and in Maryland.

The Latter-day Saints

The History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsMormon church history spans nearly two centuries of dramatic faith, persecution, and western migration, evolving from six believers in upstate New York into a worldwide community of seventeen million members.
What Do Latter-day Saints Believe?An overview of what Mormons believe centers on their distinct understanding of the Godhead, modern prophetic revelation, four volumes of scripture, and the promise of eternal family relationships.
Latter-day Saint Temples vs Meetinghouses: What's the Difference?Comparing a Mormon temple vs church meetinghouse reveals two distinct sacred spaces: local chapels open to all for Sunday worship, and holy temples reserved for sacred eternal ordinances.
Wards, Stakes and Branches: How Latter-day Saint Congregations WorkAn LDS ward functions as a tightly knit, lay-led congregation defined by strict geographic boundaries, where members serve without pay under the direction of a local bishop and regional stake leaders.
Where Latter-day Saints Live: A State-by-State LookThe distribution of the Mormon population by state centers on the historic Rocky Mountain corridor anchored by Utah and Idaho, while expanding rapidly across Sun Belt states like Texas, Arizona, and Florida.
Community of Christ (RLDS) ExplainedCommunity of Christ represents the second-largest branch of the Restoration movement, evolving from the nineteenth-century RLDS Church into a progressive Christian denomination dedicated to peace.

Mennonite, Brethren and Anabaptist Churches

Who Are the Anabaptists? History and BeliefsRooted in the Radical Reformation of 1525, Anabaptist beliefs emphasize believer baptism, nonresistance, mutual aid, and strict separation of church and state.
Mennonites in America: History and BeliefsMennonite beliefs center on the teachings of Jesus Christ, voluntary believer baptism, Christian nonresistance, and compassionate service through worldwide relief.
Where Mennonites Live: Mennonite Churches by StateThe geographic distribution of the Mennonite population by state highlights historic Anabaptist settlements in Pennsylvania and Indiana alongside major agricultural communities in Kansas and Ohio.
The Brethren Churches: Church of the Brethren, Brethren in Christ and Grace BrethrenThe Church of the Brethren traces its origins to eighteenth-century Germany, blending Anabaptist nonresistance with Radical Pietist devotion and distinctive community ordinances.
The Plymouth Brethren ExplainedThe Plymouth Brethren emerged in nineteenth-century Britain as an anti-sectarian movement practicing clergy-free worship, breaking of bread, and a rigorous dispensational theology.
Who Are the Quakers? The Religious Society of FriendsThe Quakers, known formally as the Religious Society of Friends, emerged in seventeenth-century England around the conviction that the divine Light of Christ dwells directly within every human soul.

Judaism and Synagogues in America

The History of Judaism in AmericaThe course of Jewish history in America spans nearly four centuries, chronicling how fleeing refugees built enduring congregations, championed civil liberties, and enriched religious life across the nation.
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism ExplainedThe primary branches of Judaism offer diverse approaches to tradition and modernity, ranging from strict adherence to Jewish law in Orthodox communities to progressive Reform interpretations.
Synagogue, Temple or Shul? Jewish Houses of Worship ExplainedComparing the terminology of synagogue vs temple and shul illuminates how Jewish denominations view sacred space, communal gathering, and age-old rabbinic traditions.
Where Jewish Communities Are: Synagogues by StateMapping the Jewish population by state highlights dense historic concentrations in New York and New Jersey alongside rapidly expanding communities across Florida and California.
Jewish Holidays Explained: A Guide to the Jewish YearThe annual cycle of Jewish holidays weaves biblical history, agricultural seasons, and spiritual renewal into transformative observances celebrated in synagogues and homes worldwide.
What Is Shabbat? The Jewish Sabbath ExplainedA meaningful look at what is Shabbat illuminates the central heartbeat of the Jewish Sabbath, transforming the seventh day into an enduring sanctuary of rest, prayer, and family fellowship.

Metaphysical and New Thought Churches

What Is a Metaphysical Church? New Thought ExplainedA metaphysical church applies the principles of the New Thought movement, teaching that divine intelligence fills all creation and that constructive thinking promotes physical healing and peace.
Unity Church ExplainedThe Unity Church represents a positive, practical expression of metaphysical Christianity, teaching that divine goodness dwells within all people and that affirmative prayer transforms daily life.
Christian Science ExplainedChristian Science represents a distinct American religious movement founded by Mary Baker Eddy, emphasizing the healing power of divine Spirit and the spiritual reality of God's perfect creation.
Religious Science and Centers for Spiritual LivingCenters for Spiritual Living represent a global New Thought movement rooted in Religious Science, blending metaphysical philosophy, affirmative prayer, and practical spirituality to heal and transform daily human life.
Spiritualist Churches ExplainedA modern Spiritualist church provides worship services centered on the continuous existence of the soul, combining traditional hymns and healing prayers with evidential messages delivered by certified mediums.

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Christian Denominations and Faith Traditions

Topics

More articles

The Catholic Church

Baptist Churches

Methodist Churches

Lutheran Churches

Presbyterian and Reformed Churches

Evangelical and Non-Denominational Churches

Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches

Episcopal and Anglican Churches

Churches of Christ and Christian Churches

Holiness Churches and the Church of the Nazarene

Orthodox Christianity

Seventh-day Adventists

The Latter-day Saints

Mennonite, Brethren and Anabaptist Churches

Judaism and Synagogues in America

Metaphysical and New Thought Churches

Plan your visit

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