History

About the Central States Diocese

The Central States Diocese is part of the Reformed Episcopal Church, a historic Anglican body founded in 1873 and committed to the faithful proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As part of the Reformed Episcopal Church, we share in a long tradition of biblical teaching, reverent worship, and faithful ministry rooted in the historic Anglican faith.

The diocese is made up of churches and congregations that share a commitment to Scripture, historic Christian doctrine, and the mission of the Church. We seek to glorify God by proclaiming the unchanging message of salvation through Jesus Christ while strengthening believers through discipleship, worship, and service.

Our Identity

The Reformed Episcopal Church is both evangelical and Anglican. We are deeply committed to the authority of the Bible as the Word of God and to the historic teachings of the Church expressed in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. Our worship follows the time-honored patterns of the Book of Common Prayer, reflecting the beauty, reverence, and theological depth of the Anglican tradition.

Because of this heritage, our churches are:

Biblical – Grounded in the authority of Holy Scripture.
Creedal – Confessing the historic faith of the early Church.
Sacramental – Practicing Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as signs of God’s grace.
Liturgical – Worshipping through historic Anglican forms of prayer and praise.
Episcopal – Led by bishops who shepherd the Church in apostolic continuity.

This combination of evangelical conviction and historic worship allows our congregations to remain rooted in the ancient faith while actively engaging the modern world with the transforming message of the Gospel.

Our Mission

The mission of the Central States Diocese is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equip the Church to live faithfully in every generation. We believe that every Christian is called to participate in God’s mission, and every parish is called to serve as a center of ministry, discipleship, and outreach in its community.

Our ministry priorities include:

Evangelism – Proclaiming the saving work of Jesus Christ to the world.
Discipleship – Teaching believers to grow in faith and Christian living.
Church Planting – Establishing new congregations and strengthening existing ones.
Ministry Training – Preparing clergy and lay leaders for service in the Church.
Global Missions – Supporting gospel work around the world.

Through these efforts, we seek to see lives transformed by the grace of God and communities renewed through the power of the Gospel.

Our Heritage

The Reformed Episcopal Church was founded in New York City in 1873 by Bishop George David Cummins and others who desired to preserve the historic Anglican faith while maintaining a clear commitment to the authority of Scripture and the proclamation of the Gospel. Since that time, the Church has continued to grow as a faithful Anglican witness both in North America and around the world.

Today, the Reformed Episcopal Church is a founding member of the Anglican Church in North America and shares fellowship with Anglican churches across the globe. This global connection strengthens our commitment to the historic Christian faith and supports the mission of the Church in every nation.

Our Vision

Our vision is to see vibrant, faithful Anglican churches established—churches where the Word of God is faithfully preached, the sacraments are reverently administered, and believers are equipped to serve Christ in every area of life.

We believe that the Church is called to be both rooted and mission-minded: rooted in the historic faith once delivered to the saints, and mission-minded in bringing the hope of the Gospel to a world that desperately needs it.

Through prayer, faithful leadership, and the work of the Holy Spirit, we seek to build strong congregations that worship God, serve their communities, and raise up future generations of Christian leaders.