free church
Self-governing worship community
A free church is a Protestant denomination that operates independently of state control or support, in contrast to established churches like the Church of England.
The term emphasizes congregational autonomy and voluntary membership: Many free churches in America trace their roots to European dissenters.
In some contexts, it refers specifically to churches that separated from state churches over matters of governance or doctrine.
- ProtestantPost-schism Western Christian
- dissentersOpponents of prevailing views
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
- independentFree from external control
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
autonomous · religious liberty · assembly · chapel · radical reformation · pastor · puritanism · voluntary association · schism · reformed · tabernacle · baptist · denomination · communion · pews · Sunday service · prayer meeting · worship
free churchestablished church
Officially recognized national religion
state church · national church · Church of England · Church of Scotland · Anglican Church