Christian Origins and Key Organisations in the UK

• Christianity has been a major part of the history of the UK, and has had a substantial influence upon law, culture and public life in general. It takes different main forms in the various parts of the UK.

• In England, the Church of England (see A Short Introduction to Christianity) has had the most widespread presence. In Scotland, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland has functioned as a ‘national Church’. In Wales, the Free Churches predominate, while in Northern Ireland, the Roman Catholic Church is the largest single Church.

• The Church of England has a particular relationship with the state as an ‘established Church’. This, for example, means some of its senior Bishops sit in the House of Lords, the second Chamber of Parliament. The Church of Scotland also has a special position in Scotland.

• At the same time, the Christian community in the UK has become very diverse with a range of other traditions, including, particularly: the Orthodox Churches and Churches with a majority of African-Caribbean people among their membership and leadership.

• Most Churches are members of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. There is also Churches Together in England; Action of Churches Together in Scotland; and The Irish Council of Churches.

• Most of the Churches have their own directories. There is also the UK Christian Handbook, produced by Christian Research, which gives an overview of the diversity of Christian organisations in the UK.

Written by Professor Paul Weller