Letters from St Paul’s - Why Anglican?

Why Anglican?

Faith is never lived in isolation. It is shaped, nurtured, and strengthened within a community that prays, worships, and grows together. For many, the question naturally arises: What does it mean to be Anglican?

The Anglican tradition offers a home that is ancient, scriptural, sacramental, and welcoming — a place where the riches of the early Church and the clarity of the Reformation meet in a single life of worship.

A Church with Ancient Foundations

Anglicanism did not begin in the sixteenth century. Its corporate story traces back to A.D. 597, when Augustine arrived in England at the direction of Pope Gregory to organize and shepherd the Church already present there. Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury, and the English Church grew in continuity with the wider historic Church. With apostolic lines traced all the way back to the Apostle John and early church fathers like Polycarp, Pothinus, Irenaeus, etc…The Anglican Church is truly part of Christ’s one, Holy, catholic, apostolic chuch.

When England separated from Rome in 1534, its bishops, priests, and deacons did not lose their apostolic orders or abandon the creeds. The Church retained its ancient structure and sacramental life, but removed later abuses — pruning, rather than uprooting. It was the same garden, simply cleared to flourish again.

A Reformed and Scriptural Tradition

Anglicanism is ancient in its order, yet reformed in its doctrine. It affirms that Holy Scripture contains everything necessary for salvation and that Christ alone is the source of our redemption.

The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion emerged during the Reformation to express this Scriptural faith — a faith grounded in grace, centered on Christ, and confident in God’s promises.

If you love the Bible, love Jesus, and believe salvation is the gift of God received through faith, you will find your convictions echoed here.

A Liturgy of Beauty and Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer, which Anglicans use as their guide to worship, is Scripture organized in a prayerful way, along with ancient collects and other prayers of the church through the centuries.

Anglican worship is dignified, simpler than some gaudy services, but very beautiful when tastefully done.  Most of the Christmas songs you know probably came from the Anglican church, as well as the wedding service you know, the King James Bible, the majority of our founding fathers, and much more. 

A Global, Diverse, and Welcoming Communion

Anglicanism is sometimes referred to as the via-media (the middle way) between Protestantism and Catholicism. All Christians who have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and are repentant for their sins, are allowed to receive Holy Communion.

We have ancient and beautiful worship traditions, retained apostolic succession, wonderful music and hymns, a ton of Scripture in our liturgy, and we welcome all Christians.  Not being a broad tent for the sake of being a broad tent; Anglicanism recognizes that there are true believers in virtually every branch of Christianity.

A Home for Seekers and the Faithful

If you find yourself unsure whether you belong among Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Baptists, Pentecostals, or anyone else — the Anglican way offers a home where these distinctions need not divide. Here we strive to be mere Christians — rooted in Scripture, nourished by sacrament, shaped by tradition, and united in Christ.

As you explore St Paul’s, know that you do not walk alone. The community is here to welcome you, pray for you, and journey with you into the life Christ offers.

Your spiritual growth is just beginning — and we are grateful to be part of it.