List of Christian denominations
List of Christian denominations (or Denominations self-identified as Christian) ordered by historical and doctrinal relationships. (See also: Christianity; Christian denominations).
Some groups are large (e.g. Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans or Baptists), while others are just a few small churches, and in most cases the relative size is not evident in this list. Also, modern movements such as Fundamentalist Christianity, Pietism, Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism and the Holiness movement sometimes cross denominational lines, or in some cases create new denominations out of two or more continuing groups (as is the case for many United and uniting churches, for example). Such subtleties and complexities are not clearly depicted here. Additionally, some groups viewed by non-adherents as denominational actively resist being called a "denomination" and do not have any formal denominational structure, authority, or record-keeping beyond the local congregation; several groups within Restorationism fall into this category.
This is not a complete list, but aims to provide a comprehensible overview of the diversity that exists among denominations of Christianity. Some links may point to non-existent articles. There are approximately 300 branches listed here. According to one source, there are, in all, approximately 38,000 Christian denominations.[1]
Between denominations, theologians and comparative religionists, there are considerable disagreements about which groups can be properly called Christian. These disagreements rise primarily from doctrinal differences between groups. For the purpose of simplicity, this list is intended to reflect the self-understanding of each denomination. Explanations about different opinions concerning their status as Christian denominations can be found at their respective articles.
Catholicism
Roman Catholic Church
Latin Rite
The Latin Rite or Church[2] is the largest and most widely known of the 23 Rites of the Catholic Church. In the past, Catholics in France and Germany have claimed a measure of ecclesial independence from Rome (see Febronianism, Gallicanism), but not to the extent of forming Churches distinct from the Roman Catholic Church as a whole (as happened with the Church of England) or even from the Latin Church.
Eastern Catholic Churches
All of the following are particular churches of the Catholic Church. They are all in communion with the Bishop of Rome and acknowledge his claim of universal jurisdiction and authority. They have some minor distinct theological emphases and expressions concerning, for instance, in the case of those that are of Greek (Byzantine) tradition some aspects of the Latin depiction of purgatory.[3]
The Roman Catholic Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.[4]
Anglican Communion
Anglicanism has referred to itself as the via media between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.
- Main articles: Anglicanism, Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion also includes the following united churches:
Eastern Orthodox Church
List provided in order of precedence. Indentation indicates autonomy rather than autocephaly.
The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.
Oriental Orthodox Church
Oriental Orthodoxy is comprised of those Christians who did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). Other denominations often call these churches Monophysite, but the Oriental Orthodox reject this label, preferring to call themselves Miaphysite.
The Oriental Orthodox Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.
Assyrian Church of the East
The Assyrian Church of the East is said to have been formed by St Thomas. The Church did not attend the Council of Ephesus (AD 431). It is incorrectly referred to as Nestorianism; Assyrian Orthodox do not consider themselves Nestorians, and recent Christological agreements with the Catholic and some of the Orthodox churches have resolved this debate permanently, clearing the way for union.
Other Churches that call themselves Catholic
Roman
Orthodox
Byzantine
Oriental
- The Antiochian Catholic Church in America is theologically aligned with the Oriental Orthodox, but is not in full communion with them, primarily because it ordains women and does not impose celibacy on its bishops.
Western-Rite
- Western Orthodox Church of America
- Orthodox-Catholic Church of America (OCCA)
- Church of Kristenism&Katholism [K&K]
(Continuing and Independent) Anglican
Protestantism
Pre-Lutheran Protestants
Lutheranism
Reformed Churches
Presbyterianism
Congregationalist Churches
Anabaptists
Methodists
Pietists and Holiness Churches
Baptists
Note: All Baptist associations are congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.
Spiritual Baptists
Note: The Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, Inc has congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.
Brethren
|
Apostolic Churches - Irvingites
Pentecostalism
Charismatics
|
Neo-Charismatic Churches
African Initiated Churches
United and uniting churches
Miscellaneous/Other
|
|
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Note: Although, historically speaking, the Religious Society of Friends can be listed as a Protestant denomination, this is sometimes contested and many Quakers today consider their faith to be a distinct, non-Protestant form of Christianity, with no compulsory beliefs or creeds. Some Quakers are "post-Christian" and some non-theists.
- Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Restorationism: Stone-Campbell Movement
|
Southcottites
Millerites and Comparable groups
Sabbath Keeping Churches, Adventist
|
Sabbath-Keeping Churches, Non-Adventist
Sunday Adventists
|
Sacred Name Groups
Other Adventists
Bible Student Groups
| *Back to the Bible Way |
Universal Life
Anglo-Israelism
Latter Day Saints
Most Latter Day Saint denominations are derived from the Church of Christ established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830. The majority of "Prairie Saint" denominations were established after the death of Smith by the remnants of the saints who did not go west with Brigham Young. The Rocky Mountain denominations are various sects who broke from the LDS Church after its abandonment of polygamy in 1890. Other denominations are defined by either a belief in Joseph Smith as a prophet, or acceptance of the Book of Mormon as scripture. Mormonism is generally considered distinct from mainstream Protestantism and is more akin to restorationism in believing that Smith restored the original Church of Christ to the earth.
"Prairie Saint" denominations
|
Rocky Mountains denominations
|
Other
Nontrinitarian Groups
Groups with distinct theological doctrines, but received major impulse from the Restoration Movement.
- American Unitarian Conference
- The Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church (Arian Catholic)
- Branhamism (Believers Church)
- Christadelphians
- Christian Science
- Church of Christ, Scientist Christian Scientists
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons or LDS Church)
- Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- Other, much smaller denominations
- Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith
- Church of the Blessed Hope (one of the groups otherwise known as Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith)
- Doukhobors ("Spirit-Wrestlers")
- Home Ecclesia Association
- Jehovah's Witnesses
- Makuya
- Kabanalbanalang Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus
- Members Church of God International
- Molokans
- Unification Church
- Unitarian Christian Association
- The Way The Church of Yahweh in Christ Jesus
- World Christian Ministries Association
