London union and first Primus
Our history
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England (FPEC)
The founding Church
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England (FPEC) is the founding Church, established in England on 2 November 1897. The Free Protestant Episcopal Church Worldwide Communion (FPEC-WC) developed from this Church and brings together churches with their own identities and local leadership.
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Our Mission
Our Church exists to proclaim Jesus Christ, celebrate the faith, serve our neighbours, promote reconciliation and bear witness to the love of God in the world.
We seek to be:
- faithful to tradition and open to the future;
- Protestant in our identity and Episcopal in our structure;
- sacramental in our spirituality and free in our organisation;
- inclusive in our welcome and Christian in our mission.
We believe that the Church should be a place where people can find faith, hope, welcome, community and meaning, walking together in the footsteps of Christ and placing their gifts at the service of others.
A Church of Tradition and Renewal
Our Church remains faithful to its historic heritage whilst looking to the future with hope.
We seek to unite tradition and renewal, freedom and fellowship, faith and reason, spirituality and service.
1897
1955
1962
2015
2025
About us
About usEpiscopal describes a Church served by bishops. Protestant names its roots in the English Reformation, the central place of Jesus Christ and Holy Scripture, and the importance of grace and Christian freedom. Free expresses the responsible freedom of its communities in church life and mission.
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England (FPEC) is the founding Church, established in England on 2 November 1897. The Free Protestant Episcopal Church Worldwide Communion (FPEC-WC) developed from this Church and brings together churches with their own identities and local leadership.
Faith & worship
Archbishop Primus
The Most Reverend Ricardo Lorite de Lima
Archbishop Ricardo Lorite de Lima serves as Primus of both the FPEC and the FPEC Worldwide Communion. These are two distinct responsibilities.
Read the succession recordsSince 1897
The union of 1897 brought together the Ancient British Church, the Nazarene Episcopal tradition and the Free Protestant Church of England. The Most Reverend Leon Checkemian became the first Primus. St Stephen’s in East Ham was the early Pro-Cathedral.
Convocation
Our historyOverseas students’ ordination
Our historyGeneral Synod in Bolivia
Our history
The Most Reverend Richard Arthur Palmer becomes Primus
Our historyThe Most Reverend Ricardo Lorite de Lima becomes Primus
Our historyThe photographic record
Photographs from the shared history of the Church and the Worldwide Communion.
Documents & letters
Read pastoral letters, succession records and synod documents. Each has a readable text and a link to the original. Original documents can be translated with your browser.
Documents & lettersContact the FPEC
The administrative office is based in Lins, São Paulo, Brazil, at the residence of the Archbishop Primus. Use the published telephone number below for enquiries about the Church and its Worldwide Communion.
+55 16 99142-5873Contact