Moving past the past...class in the church

The Episcopal Church, since its inception has been rooted in the upper class. There are a number of reasons for this, but the primary one is that our denomination was the state religion of England which became the established church in the American colonies. In colonial America, social class often determined one's access to education and opportunities, and this influenced who became members of the church. The term, "cradle Episcopalian" may be a vestige of the birth privilege that has been with us for centuries.


When Scott and I lived in Connecticut, we visited several Episcopal Churches where pew rents (abolished as recently as the 1970s) determined seating. Wealthier members of the community rented the more expensive pews up front while those who couldn't afford such accommodation either stood in the back or sat in the balcony.


During the colonial and early post-revolutionary periods, the Episcopal Church comprised members from the colonial elite, including wealthy landowners, merchants, and political leaders. Many of the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were Anglican/Episcopalian.


As the United States expanded westward, the Episcopal Church established new congregations. Nevertheless, the liturgical and aesthetic expressions of our forebears were "classy". To be an Episcopalian entailed having a Prayer Book and being able to read. It signaled pew rents and Sunday morning apparel. These factors often affected who attended Episcopal Churches. When you visit towns in the mid west and west, note where you see Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches. They tend be found in affluent neighborhoods or as beautiful edifices downtown

In the last hundred and fifty years or so, Episcopalians have begun to dismantle this class affiliation. But we have a long way to go. The wealth of our denomination is astonishing. One church, Trinity Episcopal Church, Wall Street, has an endowment of over 6 billion (yes, you read that right - 6 billion dollars). Many of our churches have significant endowments.  But that hasn't always meant that our stewardship is generous or faithful. In New England, it's common to find Episcopal churches with a Rector and Associate Rector, and full staff and large building, but only thirty people present on a Sunday. Endowments enable congregations to hold onto the status quo.  But what would Jesus say to us who store up treasure like that?

Episcopalians want to welcome and include all people. But it's not easy. When we read so much in worship, it's hard for people who struggle to read, (or can't afford eye glasses) to feel included. Even our hymns are high-fallutin' and poetic. As we change, we must discern what in our worship is integral, and what could be abandoned as we widen our welcome.

In future essays, I will explore what the Episcopal Church is doing to continue dismantling our upper class, predominantly white, way of being. Much more needs to be done but growth is happening. 

​The Diocese of Missouri and St. Paul's are part of the vanguard moving toward the Jesus Movement that our Presiding Bishop has so faithfully called us to. Many in our denomination long to do better, to walk more faithfully, and together we are making changes for the better. In the comments section, please offer your reflection on Class in the Episcopal Church.

Pastor Rebecca