Find an Anglican church near you
From mediaeval village churches to modern church plants, Anglican congregations are within reach of nearly every UK postcode.
Four Anglican churches, one tradition
- Church of England. The established church in England, with about 16,000 church buildings in 42 dioceses. Every English address falls within one of its parishes. See our dedicated guide to the Church of England.
- Church in Wales. Disestablished in 1920 and self-governing since, with six dioceses covering the whole of Wales. Many congregations worship bilingually in Welsh and English.
- Scottish Episcopal Church.Scotland's Anglican church, small but historic, with seven dioceses. Not to be confused with the Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian. Episcopal congregations are found in most Scottish towns and cities.
- Church of Ireland.An all-Ireland church whose Northern Ireland parishes serve towns and countryside across the six counties, from Belfast's two cathedrals to small country parishes.
Styles of Anglican worship
Anglicans talk about churchmanship, the spectrum of worship style found within one church family:
- Anglo-Catholic or high church. Vestments, incense, sung eucharists and a strong sense of the sacraments. Common in certain city parishes and cathedrals.
- Central. A dignified but unfussy Common Worship communion service mid-morning, the bread and butter of parish life across the country.
- Evangelical. Bible teaching at the centre, simpler liturgy, often larger congregations. Networks such as the one around Holy Trinity Brompton, birthplace of the Alpha course, have planted lively churches in many cities.
- Choral tradition. Cathedrals and college chapels keep daily sung services alive. Choral evensong is free, short and open to anyone; our evensong guide explains how to find one.
Two Anglican churches a mile apart can feel entirely different, so if the first one you try is not your style, another nearby may suit you well. Read high church vs low church for a fuller picture.
What to expect at a typical service
- A printed order of service or books handed to you at the door, so you can follow everything without guesswork.
- Hymns or songs, Bible readings, a sermon, prayers and, at most main services, Holy Communion.
- Congregational responses: the words you join in with are always printed in bold.
- Communion open to communicant members of other churches in most parishes; anyone may come forward for a blessing instead.
- A service length of about an hour, followed in most places by refreshments.
Frequently asked questions
Is every old parish church Anglican?
In England, nearly every mediaeval parish church belongs to the Church of England, and in Wales to the Church in Wales. In Scotland the historic parish kirks generally belong to the Church of Scotland instead, so check before assuming.
Do I need to book or be a member to attend?
No. Anglican services are public worship, and visitors simply walk in. Christmas carol services and major festivals at popular churches can fill up, so arrive early for those.
How do I find my nearest Anglican church?
Use the finder above, browse Anglican listings, or go through the county index to your town and look for parish churches and their service times.