2 November: foundation of the Church from which the Communion grew
Our history
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church Worldwide Communion (FPEC-WC)
A worldwide family of churches
The Free Protestant Episcopal Church Worldwide Communion (FPEC-WC) grew from The Free Protestant Episcopal Church of England (FPEC). It is a fellowship of autonomous churches, distinct from the founding Church itself.
How can we help you?
About usMeet our worldwide fellowship, its member churches and its leadership.Bring your church into the CommunionExplore membership and begin a conversation with our office.Find a communityLook for a church, a place to worship or a local contact.Explore our historyFollow our story from 1897 through photographs, people and original documents.
Our Mission
Our Communion brings churches together to proclaim Jesus Christ, celebrate the faith, serve our neighbours, promote reconciliation and bear witness to the love of God.
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 welcome people and communities seeking faith, hope and fellowship. Our member churches share this mission while keeping their own identities and local leadership.
A Communion of Tradition and Renewal
Our Communion draws on the heritage of the founding Church while encouraging its member churches to serve the needs of their own communities.
We seek to unite tradition and renewal, freedom and fellowship, faith and reason, spirituality and service.
1897
1962
2012
2020
2025
About us
About usThe Worldwide Communion brings autonomous Episcopal and Anglican churches into fellowship. Each member church is responsible for its own governance, ministry and property, and brings its own local history and pastoral life.
The Archbishop Primus serves the unity of the Communion and encourages co-operation. Member churches govern their own ministry and property; the Communion does not own their local buildings.
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
Our roots reach back to the founding Church on 2 November 1897. The name FPEC Worldwide Communion was first used in January 2012. After later name changes, it was restored on 10 March 2025.
Overseas students and a growing international fellowship
Our historyJanuary: FPEC Worldwide Communion; November: the Bolivia synod and Anglican Free Communion
Our historyEpiscopal Free Communion: a new name during a period of separation
Our history10 March: The Most Reverend Ricardo Lorite de Lima becomes Archbishop 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