18971897–1900
The Most Reverend Leon Checkemian
An Armenian churchman who made his home in Britain, Archbishop Checkemian helped bring the founding churches together. He became the FPEC’s first Primus at the East Ham synod.
Life and ministry
FPEC & FPEC-WC
The Church and its Worldwide Communion
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England was founded in 1897. Its Worldwide Communion is a fellowship of autonomous member churches around the world. Explore the founding Church or the wider Communion.
On 2 November 1897, the founding synod met at St Stephen’s Church in East Ham, London. From those beginnings came a history of congregations, theological study and international fellowship.
Explore 129 years of history
The founding Church
The Church founded at St Stephen’s, East Ham, London, on 2 November 1897. Explore its faith, life, leadership and history.
The Worldwide Communion
A worldwide fellowship of autonomous churches, each with its own identity and local leadership. Explore our communities, shared life and membership.
Our welcome
No matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey you are welcome to our table. The Gifts of God are free!
Life across our Communion
Worship, fellowship and friendship in the life of our churches.
Faith lived in community
The photographs below include worship and baptism in Serbia, clergy with community members of the United Anglican Church in Brazil, and Mass celebrated by Bishop Ashley R. Deutschmann with Archbishop Svetoslav of the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church in May 2026. They record particular occasions of worship, fellowship and pastoral encounter, rather than a count of active parishes.
Our member-church resources include theological formation in Brazil and Italy, alongside worship and teaching. The Leadership pages identify the Primus, bishops and the General Synod’s consultative role. These describe responsibilities, not an assessment of how effectively they are exercised. Pastoral service can also take place beyond established parish buildings. Historical directory entries and details awaiting confirmation remain labelled accordingly.
Resources from our member churchesOur name and shared history
The FPEC Worldwide Communion and Anglican Free Communion International are separate bodies with shared historical roots. Our history follows the Church’s names and leadership through dated letters and original records.
Explore the history and records12 Archbishops Primus
19001900–1917
The Most Reverend Charles Isaac Stevens
Archbishop Stevens led the Ancient British Church and helped found the FPEC. He succeeded Archbishop Checkemian and guided the young Church into the twentieth century.
Life and ministry19171917–1919
The Most Reverend James Martin
Archbishop Martin founded the Nazarene Episcopal Ecclesia and Nazarene College. His ministry brought together preaching, church life and preparation for Christian service.
Life and ministry19191919–1928
The Most Reverend Andrew Charles Albert McLaglen
Archbishop McLaglen’s earlier missionary work connected the Church with Cape Colony. During his primacy, St Andrew’s in Hackney served as the Church’s pro-cathedral.
Life and ministry19281928–1939
The Most Reverend Herbert James Monzani Heard
Archbishop Heard was a teacher and former school headmaster as well as a bishop. He succeeded Archbishop McLaglen and later entrusted the primacy to the Most Reverend William Hall.
Life and ministry19391939–1959
The Most Reverend William Hall
Archbishop Hall gave the Church a home at St Andrew’s in Tottenham. Its chapel became a meeting place for worship, study and visitors from beyond London.
Life and ministry19591959–1978
The Most Reverend Charles Dennis Boltwood
Archbishop Boltwood developed correspondence study and helped the fellowship grow overseas. Photographs of convocations and visits recall the students and clergy who shared in his work.
Life and ministry
19781978–1982
The Most Reverend Albert John Fuge, Sr.
Archbishop Fuge served in New York, where Boltwood Chapel was the centre of his ministry. He succeeded Archbishop Boltwood as Primus in 1978.
Life and ministry19821982–1989
The Most Reverend Charles Kennedy Samuel Stewart Moffatt
A preacher, musician and chaplain, Archbishop Moffatt served communities in Canada. His ministry brought Anglican and Pentecostal traditions into conversation.
Life and ministry19891989–2015
The Most Reverend Edwin Duane Follick
Archbishop Follick combined teaching with church ministry during a long primacy. His letters to the Bolivia synod recall his place in the international fellowship.
Life and ministry
20152015–2025
The Most Reverend Richard Arthur Palmer
Archbishop Palmer’s pastoral letters followed the Church through Easter, Christmas and the concerns of daily life. In 2025 he entrusted the primacy to the Most Reverend Ricardo Lorite de Lima.
Life and ministry
20252025–present
The Most Reverend Ricardo Lorite de Lima
The Most Reverend Ricardo Lorite de Lima previously served as Chancellor and Provincial Archbishop in Brazil. He became Primus on 10 March 2025 and continues to serve the worldwide family of churches.
Life and ministry