A brief overview of the Episcopal Church

In the 16th Century, King Henry VIII declared the Church of England independent
of the Roman Catholic Church with himself as its head.  There were many factors
that influenced this movement during the Reformation (both political and
theological), which led to the rise of a new type of Christianity known as
Anglicanism.
Anglicanism is the term we use to encapsulate the doctrine, religious belief, faith,
system, practice and principles of the Church of England and other Anglican
churches.
The noun Anglican is used to describe the people, institutions and churches as well
as the liturgical traditions and theological concepts developed by the state
established Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

The Episcopal Church is just one of many members in the worldwide Anglican
Communion, which believes that one church shouldn't have direct authority over
another. The Archbishop of Canturbury is recognized as the spiritual head of the
Anglican Communion but does not have any direct authority over any Anglican
Church outside of England.  Only one Church in any country can be considered “in
full communion” with the Church of England, and the Episcopal Church is the
American member of the Communion.

In America, there are nine provinces that make up the Episcopal Church. Within
these provinces are the dioceses.  Each diocese is led by a Diocesean Bishop who
chooses and ordains priests and deacons to serve the different parishes
(congregations).
The priests lead the parish in worship, make decisions related to the sacramental life
of the parish, and in general, supports the ministry of the worshiping Christians there.

The Episcopal Church is governed by a Constitution and a set of laws (known as
“canons”) which it establishes for itself by Convention, but the diocesan bishop is
the ecclesiastical (or “church”) authority in his or her particular diocese. The bishops
of the Episcopal Church have no jurisdiction outside of their dioceses, so they meet
together twice per year to pray and make decisions about the life of the Church.
Every nine years, the Church elects a “Presiding Bishop” who represents the
Episcopal Church in the Anglican Communion and “presides” over meetings of the
bishops, known as the “House of Bishops.”
Every three years, delegations (or “deputations”) from all the dioceses, along with
the House of Bishops, gather to worship and pass legislation for the Church. This
General Convention is where broad decisions are made about policy and worship,
as well as revitalizing the Christian community for ministry “back home.”
The Church of the Resurrection

A Brief History of
The Church of the Resurrection

In 1953, a small group of people felt the need for an Episcopal
church in Loudon County.  Six people met as a community in the
home of Mrs. W.D. Pagett for monthly worship services.  The
Rev. John Lodge from Athens was the visiting priest.  By word of
mouth, the group of six grew to twelve.  In January 1957, monthly
services were held on Sunday evenings and the group grew to 21
communicants.  During the following three years, the group grew
gradually but steadily.

The dream of this small but growing community was to have its
own church building  In 1964, a building fund was started by a gift
of $1500 from St. Stephens in Oak Ridge, and in this same year,
this Mission church was accepted by the Diocese and designated
as The Church of the Resurrection.  Also in 1964, six acres with a
house and shed were purchased with the house used as the
worship space.

Groundbreaking for the new church took place on June 17, 1977.
 It is  modeled after Christ Church, Rugby, a 19th century church
built in the English Gothic Revival style, sometimes referred to as
Carpenter's Gothic, because of the extensive use of wood.  Less
than one year later, the first service was held in the new facility on
Easter Sunday, March 26, 1978 with 60 people in attendance.

Today, The Church of the Resurrection is a healthy, friendly,
growing community.  The nave will comfortably seat 130 persons
with a small area for choir members at the rear.  The undercroft,
which opens onto a concrete patio, houses the nursery, a meeting
room, vesting area and a small kitchen.

The Parish Hall and Christian Education Building, built in 1988,
follows the same architectural style as the church.  The parish hall
on the first floor contains a large stone fireplace with an adjacent
fully equipped kitchen and will accommodate large events such as
receptions and dinners.  The choir room/library and restrooms are
also located on this floor.  The basement level houses church
school classrooms, offices for the rector and secretary, a utility
room and restrooms.
Visitors/ Newcomers:

For more on what to expect from an episcopal service
when you visit, click here.
Episcopalians believe in One God,
• the Father who creates us and things,
• the Son who redeems us from sin and death
• the Holy Spirit who renews us as the Children of God.
What makes us Anglican?
• Protestant, yet Catholic
• Worshiping in our native language (English)
• The Book of Common Prayer
• Scripture, Tradition and Reason

For more details about these characteristics, click here.
What do we believe?