FIND A CHURCH NEAR YOU BY DENOMINATION

The Church of England is the established church of England, with a parish church in almost every community. Its worship ranges from traditional Book of Common Prayer services to informal contemporary gatherings, and its roots reach back through the Reformation to the earliest English Christians.

Baptist churches are known for baptising believers by full immersion in water, for teaching the Bible in a straightforward way, and for each local church governing its own life. They are one of the largest Free Church traditions in the UK.

The Catholic Church is the largest Christian tradition in the world, led by the Pope, with a presence in almost every UK town and city. Its worship centres on the Mass, and it places great emphasis on the sacraments, the saints and two thousand years of Christian tradition.

Methodism began in the 18th century with John and Charles Wesley, who took the Christian message out to ordinary people across Britain. Methodist churches are known for their hymn singing, their emphasis on God's grace for everyone, and their practical care for their communities.

Pentecostal churches emphasise the present-day work of the Holy Spirit — the same power described in the Book of Acts. Worship is typically lively and expressive, and there is a strong expectation that God speaks, heals and transforms lives today.

Elim is one of the UK's own Pentecostal movements, founded in 1915 in Ireland. Elim churches combine lively, contemporary worship with solid Bible teaching and a strong emphasis on mission and church planting.

Vineyard churches grew out of a movement that began in California in the 1970s and came to the UK in the 1980s. They are known for intimate, contemporary worship, an emphasis on the Holy Spirit, and a casual, come-as-you-are culture.

Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches that began in the UK in the 1970s. Its churches combine strong Bible teaching with expressive worship and an emphasis on the Holy Spirit, and many are large, growing city churches.

The Salvation Army is both a church and one of the UK's best-known charities, founded in London in 1865. Its churches (called corps) combine Christian worship with practical service to the most vulnerable people in the community.

The United Reformed Church (URC) was formed in 1972 when English Presbyterian and Congregational churches came together. It is a thoughtful, democratic tradition where local congregations have a real say, and where questions are welcomed.

Presbyterian churches are governed by elders (presbyters) rather than bishops, and are strongest in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with churches across England and Wales too. They are known for reverent worship and careful, systematic Bible preaching.

Thousands of UK churches belong to no denomination at all — independent evangelical churches, community churches and new church plants. What they share is a focus on the Bible, personal faith in Jesus, and an informal, welcoming style.