What Is Anglicanism?

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church is an Anglican church and has joyfully remained so ever since its founding in 1882. The word Anglican at its root means ‘English’ as a short-hand expression for the English Church. Namely, this is the Church of England and, by extension, the national church bodies (known as provinces) in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury—many of which were originally congregations in the Church of England through England’s colonial expansions around the world.

As an Episcopal Church in the United States, Saint Paul’s is part of the official Anglican Communion which traces its lineage in the catholic faith back through the Protestant Reformation in England and prior to the reforms instituted by King Henry VIII. Even though divine providence led to the severance of the American colonies from England, the clergy and laity of the Anglican churches on both sides of the Atlantic continued to regard each other with the same brotherly affection as they always had prior to American independence in 1776. Thus, they remained in perfect fellowship, unity of faith, and mutual appreciation despite the early antagonisms between the American and English governments. At this point in time, the seeds of the Anglican Communion were planted which would later sprout into formal fruition of the worldwide community of churches now in existence.

Beyond the traditional and historic definition of the word enunciated above, the Anglican faith encompasses a beautiful Christian culture of rich traditions, joyful holidays, deep theology, liturgical aesthetics, angelic hymns, stunning architecture, and glorious history. It has endured and continues to endure persecutions, martyrdoms, schisms, and all the infelicities of inhabiting a sinful world until Christ’s return. 

Perhaps Anglicanism’s most distinguishing feature is its dependency for orderly worship according to the Book of Common Prayer. This might be the main characteristic that makes Anglicanism unique among most other Christian denominations. It is often said the Book of Common Prayer is just the Bible reorganized for use in corporate worship. Thus, our church services are saturated with Scripture readings and prayers drawn straight from the pages of the Bible and in accordance with a biblical philosophy to glorifying God through our worship. The astute reader of the Bible will recognize immediately that the rites of Anglican liturgies are drawn straight from the pages of Holy Writ and add a unique perspective of biblical interpretation faithful to the Divine Author’s authoritative and intended meaning.

Saint Paul’s Church, like all of Tombstone, aims to represent such traditional, old-fashion Anglicanism like a time capsule from the past. We feel this approach for building our congregation’s culture fits neatly with the character and people of the vibrant Old Western town in which the church is situated. Cowboys in dusty boots, ladies in long Victorian dresses, and all who will are welcome into our open church doors.