Anglican Church Planting

Where Anglicans Aren’t

on April 24, 2018

The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has been on a church planting mission since its founding in 2009. While Anglican church planting doesn’t compare with larger, more resourced groups like the Assemblies of God and the Southern Baptist Convention, for a relatively small denomination it has done undeniably well.

As of June 2017, the denomination listed 1,004 churches across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. ACNA now has at least some presence in every U.S. state except for North Dakota and every Canadian province except for Prince Edward Island. Always Forward, the church planting initiative of ACNA, has provided a central resource, and Canon Dan Alger has an interview about this work.

The purpose of this blog entry is to create a list of areas where ACNA does not currently have a ministry presence and to connect interested parties. I understand that church planters are mostly (though thankfully not exclusively) drawn to major metropolitan areas and college towns. It is also the case that church planters usually chase population: new churches are much more likely to be planted in a place of population influx than population exodus.

Some of these communities do have vibrant orthodox Episcopal parishes, and that has partly negated the immediate need for an ACNA plant. But many of these places have no such vibrant orthodox presence.

Do you know of a sizeable community without an Anglican parish? Do you see a town on the list below and know of a church planting project that is forming? Please make a note in the comment section below. The ACNA church map can be viewed here: http://www.acna.org/map/

Cities:

Flagstaff, AZ
Redding, CA [Update: Incarnation Mission has Sunday morning worship]
Santa Barbara, CA
Oxnard, CA
Tampa, FL – [Update: Trinity Anglican Church Tampa has launched]
Fort Meyers, FL
Palm Beach County, FL
Fort Lauderdale/Broward County, FL
Macon, GA
Sioux City, IA
Wichita, KS – [Update: Incarnation Wichita has launched]
Topeka, KS
Lafayette, LA – [Update: Trinity Lafayette has begun worshiping together]
Lake Charles, LA
Alexandria, LA – [Update: Cross Church Pineville meets nearby]
Springfield, MA
Duluth, MN
Rochester, MN
Great Falls, MT
Fargo, ND
Omaha, NE – [Update: Holy Cross meets in Lincoln]
Wilmington, NC – [Update: Christ Our Hope Anglican Church has begun worshiping together]
Santa Fe, NM – [Update: Church of the Resurrection is forming]
Bend, OR
Medford, OR
Erie, PA
Charleston, WV – [Update: Hope Church has begun weekly worship]
Spartanburg, SC – [Update: The Gathering Church begins weekly worship 9/16/2018]
Beaumont, TX – [Update: I’m told by Bishop Clark Lowenfield that a project is taking shape here]
Laredo, TX
Amarillo, TX – [Update: St. Mark’s meets in Amarillo]
Tacoma, WA

College Towns:

Morgantown, WV (WVU)
Charlottesville, VA (UVA) – [Update: Church of the Good Shepherd is launching Fall 2022]
Lawrence, KS (KU)
Pullman, WA-Moscow, ID (WSU, UI) – [Update: Christ the King, Moscow has begun weekly worship]
Bozeman, MT (MSU) [Update: Bozeman Anglican is now meeting]
Champaign, IL (UI)
Huntsville, TX (SHSU)

Canon Dan Alger sat down for an interview with Winfield Bevins from Asbury Seminary to discuss some of the distinctives of Anglican church planting:

  1. Comment by VAcogito on April 24, 2018 at 3:56 pm

    Charlottesville area has an Anglican Church– All Saints Anglican Church and St. David’s Anglican Church

  2. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 24, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    I was referring to ACNA congregations (the closest is in Crozet) but yes, please do share if you know of a vibrant continuing church congregation in these places. A link to a web site can also be helpful for those readers seeking more information about these worshiping communities.

  3. Comment by James Johnson on April 24, 2018 at 4:09 pm

    Ft Myers and Cape Coral.

  4. Comment by High Tory on April 24, 2018 at 4:10 pm

    Detroit, Michigan (biggest city in Michigan)
    East Lansing, Michigan
    Midland, Michigan
    Marquette, Michigan (college town)
    Honolulu, Hawaii.
    Traverse City, Michigan (1662/1928 BCP congregation left ACNA in November 2017 for a continuing Anglicans sect because ACNA in Great Lakes region is too happy-clappy)
    Mount Pleasant, Michigan
    Ann Arbor, Michigan
    Kalamazoo, Michigan
    Muskegon, Michigan
    London, Ontario
    Guelph, Ontario
    Kitchener, Ontario
    Waterloo, Ontario
    Niagara Falls, Ontario
    Montpelier, Vermont
    Manchester, New Hampshire
    Augusta, Maine
    Quebec City, Quebec
    Trois Rivieres, Quebec
    Sudbury, Ontario
    Lima, Ohio
    Iowa City, Iowa
    Dubuque, Iowa
    Duluth, Minnesota
    St Cloud, Minnesota
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Sioux City, Iowa
    Omaha, Nebraska
    Wichita, Kansas
    Bozeman, Montana
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    Puerto Rico
    Virgin Islands
    Guam
    American Samoa
    Northern Mariana Islands

  5. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 24, 2018 at 4:19 pm

    There is an REC/ACNA congregation in Detroit: http://marinerschurchofdetroit.org/

    Also, a fantastic Anglican congregation in Kailua, HI, just up H3 from Honolulu. They’re starting another church plant on the big island soon.

  6. Comment by Ralinda Gregor on April 25, 2018 at 9:26 am

    I’m not sure folks from Honolulu will drive to Kailua for church. Or vice versa. Maybe on Sunday morning but not at other times. Any current locals have a feel for that?

  7. Comment by Rev. Adam Rick on April 24, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    I wish that church in Traverse City had joined CANA East like my church in Hillsdale, Michigan did. We were part of a Continuing jurisdiction (tiny and shrinking), and the “happy-clappy” of ADGL didn’t attract, but the broad churchmanship, commitment to historic discipline, and all-male presbyterate of CANA East drew them in. CANA provides a genuine connection to global Anglicanism (with the accompanying fellowship and accountability) without some of the wobblier elements of the certain places within the ACNA.

  8. Comment by M on April 27, 2018 at 6:49 pm

    All Saints Anglican Traverse City had a letter dismissive from an ACNA diocese in Colorado that the ACNA Diocese of the Great Lakes never accepted or acknowledged. Multiple communications from the Rector were ignored. Congregation decided that if they didn’t want to communicate with us there was no reason to be affiliated with them. They also scheduled a Bishop’s visit without our knowledge or consent. Very poor administration and communication.

  9. Comment by Jill Clark on April 24, 2018 at 6:12 pm

    Thank you for mentioning all those cities in Michigan! I would love to see an ACNA plant near Muskegon. (The last time I took communion was over a year ago while visiting Christ Church, Plano, TX.) I would be willing to help get something started here.

  10. Comment by Tregonsee on April 24, 2018 at 5:40 pm

    Interesting there is nothing in Flagstaff. Several years ago, I was there and attended a wonderful home church service. At the time, a priest came by about once a month for communion, and even a baptism.

  11. Comment by Michael on April 24, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    There is a work in Amarillo, TX. See Diocese of the Southwest.

  12. Comment by Cn. David Ketter on April 24, 2018 at 9:22 pm

    Pittsburgh supported a church plant in Morgantown that met at a Roman chapel right near/on WVU’s Morgantown campus for 5 years. The plant was closed down after heroic efforts for ministry, outreach, discipleship and community relationships didn’t gather a congregation.

  13. Comment by N. Sensustricto on April 24, 2018 at 10:59 pm

    I think they’re all pretty much evangelical convert happy clappy. The Anglo-Catholics have given notice that they are not happy.

  14. Comment by Aaron Wright on April 25, 2018 at 11:25 am

    What would be the danger in being happy and in clapping? Can we clap our hands together and be joyful? And, is it un-catholic to do so, and why?

  15. Comment by James Simmons on April 24, 2018 at 11:16 pm

    There are people in Fargo, ND, who want an ACNA presence.

  16. Comment by Aaron Wright on April 25, 2018 at 11:22 am

    I can think of no other city that an Anglican Church would explode in more than that of Wichita, KS. It is undeniably primed for such a move. Having lived there for a few years as a pastor in another tradition I am well aware of it’s ethos. It needs one desperately. When that day happens this guy will celebrate.

  17. Comment by Deacon Rick on April 25, 2018 at 11:26 am

    I am beginning a work in Westminster maryland. I also hope to reach into the southern portions of York and Adams County Pennsylvania. We currently meet bi-weekly on Saturday nights for a Bible study and evening prayer.

  18. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 25, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    This is good to know, Rick. Does your project have a web site or Facebook page that we can share with others in your area?

  19. Comment by Josh on April 25, 2018 at 11:28 am

    One place that they are not present is in rural places. I considered joining the ACNA at one time but, after visiting, speaking with priests, and reading about what Anglicans were doing in mission, I decided not to. I am glad that folks like the ACNA are reaching out in mission in urban and college contexts but there is hardly any Anglican presence in suburban and rural contexts.

    Also, the snooty references about “happy clappy evangelicals” on this thread make me sick. I guess I understand why Methodists were often scorned by snooty Anglicans back in the day. I think I’ll remain a Methodist.

  20. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 25, 2018 at 12:41 pm

    Thanks for your note, Josh. My own diocese (the mid-Atlantic) recently launched our first rural plant, Church of the Ascension, in Kearneysville, WV between Charlestown and Martinsburg. The planter is Asbury-educated.
    Take the “snooty” references in comment threads with a grain of salt — some of them are from folks who are outside of ACNA. We all have our aesthetic preferences and the Holy Spirit shapes our hearts through different aspects of worship, meeting us where we are. I myself am a broad church Anglican who attends a low-church parish and appreciates what various parts of the church bring. I am also grateful for our Wesleyan brothers and sisters!

  21. Comment by Josh on April 25, 2018 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks for the note. All of the folks that I have met so far have been great people. And I have been pleased to note a lot of charismatic-oriented folks (and bishops!). I am also glad to hear of rural plants.

    I may actually end up in the ACNA one day. The UMC is severely lacking in leadership and keeps running in the same old circles. It’s getting old.

  22. Comment by Timothy Fountain on April 25, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    Church of the Resurrection (ACNA) is getting legs under it in Sioux Falls, SD. Their (present) Deacon will be priested on May 2nd. facebook.com/resurrectionsf/ is their page.

  23. Comment by John king on April 25, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    Pretty much anywhere in Nevada, except Reno and Las Vegas

  24. Comment by Thomas on April 27, 2018 at 6:14 pm

    ACNA, through REC, does have a Missionary District in Cuba. Thats interesting, because I think it will become soon a diocese and will provide an alternative to the liberal Episcopal Church of Cuba. ACNA does have a Puerto Rican-born bishop, Juan Alberto Morales. I wonder if there wasn`t yet a call to start church planing in Puerto Rico. The Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico, which is a member of the TEC, is plain liberal.

  25. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 30, 2018 at 10:28 am

    I’m somewhat surprised that the handful of Cuban congregations still haven’t appeared on the ACNA church map — my understanding is that they were brought in (via the Anglican Network in Canada) back in 2014.

  26. Comment by Thomas on May 4, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Jeffrey, I can help you on that, because I have read about its history. It was the now extinct Diocese of Western Canada and Alaska of the Reformed Episcopal Church who started church planting in Cuba at request of some cubans, in 2003. The diocese was very small in Canada and was extinct, its now the Convocation of the West and Western Canada at the Diocese of Mid-America. They are not an handfull, they are 20. You can read about the history of the Missionary District of Cuba in here. I am too surprised that they still haven`t appeared in the map of the ACNA congregations. https://rec-canada.com/index.php/cuba/shistory/

  27. Comment by Thomas on May 4, 2018 at 10:06 am

    I need to update what I wrote before. There is now a Missionary Diocese of Cuba, its one of three overseas dioceses of the Reformed Episcopal Church, among Croatia and Germany. http://rechurch.org/dioceses.html

  28. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on May 4, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    Wow, 30 parishes — this is a much larger group than I was aware of!

  29. Comment by Michael Fody on April 28, 2018 at 12:43 am

    When I moved to Minnesota from the Diocese of Dallas in 2010– I had remained a member the TEC in Texas as long as (then) Bishop James Stanton did not remit money to Katharine Jefferts Schori’s national “church”– I searched for a ACNA church, and found none. (The MN TEC was then running an avowed “Buddhist” for Bishop!) What to do? I asked my friend and (former) pastor in Richardson, Texas, for advice. He said, “Find a good, conservative Lutheran Church.” (My [cradle Catholic] wife and I have been members of a LCMS congregation for over seven years.)

  30. Comment by Mark McCarty on April 28, 2018 at 1:06 am

    Holy Cross Anglican Church, Abilene, TX
    which is part of Bishop Iker’s Diocese of Ft Worth, TX

  31. Comment by Robert Orcutt on April 28, 2018 at 7:55 am

    Fort Myers Florida is listed by name but the map shows no congregations. Same holds for Fredericksburg, Virginia. Both areas are starving for authentic orthodox Christianity.

  32. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 28, 2018 at 9:21 am

    That’s because this is a list of places with no ACNA congregations.

  33. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 30, 2018 at 10:35 am

    BTW, I’m nudging folks in my diocese to begin conversations about something in Fredericksburg. There was a now-defunct effort for several years that went on “hiatus” two years ago and officially concluded in 2017. Fredericksburg is a perfect spot for a young curate from Falls Church to begin a project. It’s a strategic area: proximate to fast-growing Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, and home to Mary Washington University. There are also a significant number of DC commuters living in Fredericksburg, partly due to the VRE train service.

  34. Comment by Fr. Joshua Lickter on April 28, 2018 at 3:06 pm

    We are currently gathering a team to plant an ACNA church in Redding, CA. If anyone is interested in helping or knows anyone in that area that might be interested, please feel free to let me know.

  35. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 30, 2018 at 10:40 am

    This is great news! For those who are interested, please visit the web site: http://www.incarnationmission.org

  36. Comment by Patricia J. Brewin on April 29, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    Is there an address for the very new (under one year) Church plants for both in North America, and abroad eg. the Ireland Church? As part of our considered outreach this information would be appreciated, as perhaps the Lord will endow us in our capacity to support these new beginnings to the Glory of His name.

  37. Comment by Jeffrey Gillen on May 1, 2018 at 10:29 am

    Greenville, NC

  38. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on May 1, 2018 at 10:40 am

    Check out Christ Church, it’s about 20 minutes away in Washington: http://www.christchurchibx.com

  39. Comment by Mary Foemmel on May 2, 2018 at 6:11 pm

    We transplanted 4 years ago to Kirksville, MO to live near one of our daughters. Kirksville is the home of Truman State University and ATSU, Andrew Taylor Still University an osteopathic medical college. While the major denominations are represented here, the small, Bible churches are predominant. We long for an orthodox witness here so much so that we sometimes make a 150 mile round trip to Quincy, IL to worship at St. John’s (ACNA).

  40. Comment by Rafael Rodriguez on May 3, 2018 at 12:46 pm

    I am starting a church plant in Redding, CA with the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others. We’re in our early stages, meeting twice a month for Evening Prayer. My goal is to have weekly services by the fall. My email is Rafaelkytn@gmail.com for anyone interested.

  41. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on May 3, 2018 at 5:14 pm

    This is great news, thanks for sharing, Rafael.

  42. Comment by Thomas on May 5, 2018 at 2:59 pm

    Unlike in the United States, church planting seems to be very difficult in Canada. The number of their parishes has been stationary on 72 in the last years. This happens probably because most theological conservative Anglicans in Canada are still in the Anglican Church of Canada, and also because its a much more secularized society than the United States.

  43. Comment by Casey Bedell on August 10, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    Very late to this post but I am planting in Seattle, WA with the Diocese of the Rocky Mountains. Reach out: caseybedell@gmail.com

  44. Comment by David on October 14, 2018 at 6:54 pm

    Nacogdoches, Texas is a college town, bigger than Moscow, ID listed above. It’s about two hours from the nearest ACNA church.

  45. Comment by Candice on October 26, 2018 at 2:17 pm

    Is there a way to find out which Episcopal churches are orthodox in their teaching? We are thinking of moving and would like to choose a town with a conservative Anglican community. There are so few Anglican churches in small towns, however, that it has been a challenge!

  46. Comment by Bob Crowley on November 22, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    Topeka, Kansas is a conservative town that lost many episcopal parishioners with their liberalism in the local parishes. It is only an hour from St. Aiden. I think it would be great and would be interested in helping. I wish to leave the Catholic Church, due to lack of addressing sex scandals, but the nearby Episcopals are too liberal in views. I don’t want diversity. I want tradition and truth.

  47. Comment by Elizaeth Bakoss on January 28, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    come to fort myers, fl… I heard that might be in the works already!

  48. Comment by Jim Shaffer on February 4, 2019 at 11:40 pm

    Billings, Montana. The largest city/county metro-area in Montana (approx. 150,000; over 1/10 of state population) and commercial reach from western N. Dakota to northern 1/3 of Wyoming. The city has 3 colleges is medical center for a 5 state region. A small, financially secure, committed ACNA church plant (i.e., Holy Spirit Anglican), with resident Deacon, has been active since 2013. It needs, routinely urges the state Deanery, to place a bi-vocational or retired rector who desires to grow existing church community and plant churches in nearby rural communities where the ‘other’ anglican church abandoned congregations. Join us, our congregation is willing to help in the Great Commission …. with guidance and knowledge.

  49. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on February 5, 2019 at 9:52 am

    This is great info, thanks for sharing, Jim.

  50. Comment by Bekah on November 19, 2019 at 12:47 am

    Praying for a church here in Ohio that’s closer than an hour (east of Columbus). I agree that it’s harder to find ACNA or even conservative Episcopal churches in rural areas. There are two in Columbus area, but it would be hard to drive an hour both ways with our 5 kids on a weekly basis. We are within 20-30 minutes of college towns with Denison University and Kenyon College nearby (which has Episcopal roots actually.) We will see!

  51. Comment by Will on February 2, 2020 at 4:57 am

    Please plant out in Calvert County, Maryland! The only ACNA churches nearby are very far away (DC and Annapolis) which is too far to drive each way on a Sunday, especially with a family, and really doesn’t help foster community when you have to attend church 40 miles from your home.

  52. Comment by Johnny on February 25, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    There are no Anglican Churches within 45 minutes driving distance of Frostburg, Maryland. Allegany County Maryland is completely devoid of Orthodox Anglican worship and as someone in search of that it is difficult. Frostburg is a university town.

  53. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on February 28, 2020 at 9:55 am

    Thanks for your note, Johnny. My suggestion would be to reach out to Justin Clemente, Parish Priest at New Creation Church in Hagerstown. While I realize Hagerstown is far, Justin has people in his Anglican church who drive from the west and he might be able to connect you to people in a community group that is closer to where you live. Likewise, if there is enough interest in planting in the Cumberland area, it could open the possibility of a new church launch in your part of western Maryland. Justin can be contacted at: RevJustin [at] ncchagerstown.org

  54. Comment by Kempton on April 6, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    Hi, I am rector of a church plant in Santa Fe, NM. We are named Resurrection Anglican Santa Fe. We’ve been in the process since September 2019. You can find us at rezsantafe.com.

  55. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on April 6, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    Thanks, I’ve updated the text above with the link that you provided!

  56. Comment by Shawnda Kovacs on July 7, 2020 at 1:14 am

    Still nothing in Bend Oregon?

  57. Comment by Brent Stewart on November 13, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    I live outside of Knoxville, TN in Loudon County. There are no ACNA churches between Knoxville and Cleveland, TN. My family and I the past have attended ACNA churches that averaged 30-45 minutes away. In the long run that wasn’t sustainable for us with our schedules. For the most part rural church planting isn’t discussed like it needs to be within the ACNA especially in the Southeast.

  58. Comment by Brent Stewart on November 13, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    There’s no ACNA churches between Knoxville and Cleveland, TN. In the past, I’ve attended two different ACNA churches but they both were both 30-45 minutes away from my home. My prayer is that rural/ small town church planting will begin to have a emphasis when it comes to church planting.

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