Episcopal Church

American Anglican denomination (1789-)

Key facts

Classification: Protestant
Orientation: Anglican
Scripture: Protestant Bible
Theology: Anglican doctrine
Polity: Episcopal
Governance: Unitary
Presiding bishop: Sean W. Rowe
President of the house of deputies: Julia Ayala Harris
Chief of mission: Lester V. Mackenzie
Communion: Anglican Communion
Parishes: 6,707 (2024)
Associations: National Council of Churches , World Council of Churches , Christian Churches Together in the USA

Article

The Episcopal Church (TEC), also known as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (PECUSA), is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, based in the United States. It is a mainline Protestant denomination and is divided into nine provinces. The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church is Sean W. Rowe.

In 2024, The Church of England Yearbook reported 2.4 million total members. In 2025 the Episcopal Church was the 9th-largest Protestant denomination in the US, as measured by adherents. A total of 1% of US adults, or approximately 2.7 million people, self-identify as mainline Episcopalians/Anglicans. The church has seen a sharp decline in membership and Sunday attendance since the 1960s, particularly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.