Small Episcopal Churches: Geographic Distribution
Where are the greatest number of small Episcopal Churches located? While one may intuitively think of small church as synonymous with rural country location, in the Episcopal Church this is simply not true. Surprisingly, a review of the 2004 Parochial Report finds that the Diocese of New York has the greatest number of small churches! Second to New York is the Diocese of Albany, and third is South Dakota.
When Small Churches are grouped by Province, Province IV (which includes the Diocese of Alabama, Atlanta, Central Florida, Central Gulf Coast, East Carolina, East Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Lexington, Louisiana, Mississippi,, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida, Tennessee, Upper South Carolina, West Tennessee, and Western North Carolina) contains the greatest number. Province III ( Bethlehem, Central Pennsylvania, Delaware, Easton, Maryland, Northwestern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Southern Virginia,, Southwestern Virginia, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia) is second, and Province II (Albany, Central New York, Churches in Europe, Haiti, Long Island, New Jersey, New York, Newark, Rochester,, Virgin Islands, and Western New York) is third. Nearly half of all small Episcopal Churches are located with in these three Provinces.
This information is relevant because it dispels some of the misconceptions and common myths surrounding the small church. By defining the locations of our small churches by fact rather than intuition, we are better able to identify and address small church issues. Therefore, in looking over the diocesan and provincial distribution, what new avenues for small church development are suggested?
Where are the greatest number of small Episcopal Churches located? While one may intuitively think of small church as synonymous with rural country location, in the Episcopal Church this is simply not true. Surprisingly, a review of the 2004 Parochial Report finds that the Diocese of New York has the greatest number of small churches! Second to New York is the Diocese of Albany, and third is South Dakota.
When Small Churches are grouped by Province, Province IV (which includes the Diocese of Alabama, Atlanta, Central Florida, Central Gulf Coast, East Carolina, East Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Lexington, Louisiana, Mississippi,, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida, Tennessee, Upper South Carolina, West Tennessee, and Western North Carolina) contains the greatest number. Province III ( Bethlehem, Central Pennsylvania, Delaware, Easton, Maryland, Northwestern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Southern Virginia,, Southwestern Virginia, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia) is second, and Province II (Albany, Central New York, Churches in Europe, Haiti, Long Island, New Jersey, New York, Newark, Rochester,, Virgin Islands, and Western New York) is third. Nearly half of all small Episcopal Churches are located with in these three Provinces.
This information is relevant because it dispels some of the misconceptions and common myths surrounding the small church. By defining the locations of our small churches by fact rather than intuition, we are better able to identify and address small church issues. Therefore, in looking over the diocesan and provincial distribution, what new avenues for small church development are suggested?
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