Episcopalian/Anglican Groups
A big list of Anglican religious orders, communities, organizations, and societies. All other resources are on the Resources page.
Ecclesial Organizations | Traditional Religious Orders: Located | Traditional Religious Orders: Dispersed | Modern Religious Communities: Located | Modern Religious Communities: Dispersed | Map of Religious Orders & Communities | Episcopal & Anglican Societies and Guilds | Other Groups
Ecclesial Organizations
The Anglican Communion: official website.
The Episcopal Church: official website.
Traditional Religious Orders: Located
Community of St. John Baptist (Augustinian, women): "A Community made up of monastic women, who live together under the traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Their life includes daily participation in the Eucharist and the Divine Office, prayer, and ministry to those in need. They live by an Augustinian Rule, which emphasizes Community spirit."
Community of St. Mary, Southern Province (Benedictine, women): "The Community of St. Mary, Southern Province, is a women’s Benedictine community within the Episcopal Church that expresses its way of life through care for the body, the soul, and the earth. We seek to address the spiritual and temporal needs of our society through our life of prayer and solitude, our ministry to the poor, through spiritual direction and hospitality, the various endeavors of our Organic Prayer Program and our website, and through our work in churches-both in the USA and the Philippines. We serve as a spiritual resource for all seekers, especially those interested in Benedictine spirituality, care for creation, and concern for the poor."
Community of the Holy Spirit (Augustinian, women): "Located in New York, NY, the Sisters of this monastic community respond to that invitation by an intentional living out of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience within the structure of a modified Augustinian Rule. The Sisters also provide spiritual support for women and men who wish to be linked with our Community as Associates. By adopting a personal rule of life, they extend the Community’s ministry through prayer, worship and service."
Order of Julian of Norwich (Benedictine, women): "A contemplative monastic order in The Episcopal Church under the patronage of Julian of Norwich, currently located in White Lake, Wisconsin. The resident, monastic affiliation of the Order is open to lay and ordained women. The life is that of liturgical, intercessory and silent prayer, community life, manual labor and study on the Benedictine pattern, with traditional monastic vows of Stability, Conversion of Life, and Obedience. Non-resident Oblate and Associate affiliations with the Order are open to men and women, lay and ordained."
Community of the Sisters of the Church (women): "The Community of the Sisters of the Church is an international body of women within the Anglican Communion, living under the gospel values of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, desiring to be faithful to the traditions of the Religious Life while exploring new ways of expressing them and of living community life and ministry today. By our worship, ministry, and life in community, we desire to be channels of the reconciling love and acceptance of Christ, to acknowledge the dignity of every person, and to enable others to encounter the living God whom we seek." Multiple locations worldwide.
Community of the Transfiguration (women): "We, the Sisters of the Transfiguration, are women, lay and ordained, living together under religious vows of Poverty, Chastity & Obedience. Our Convent is in Cincinnati, OH, with a branch house in northern Ohio. We run a day school, a spirituality center, and a recreation center in a disadvantaged community. Our most important ministries are prayer, worship, hospitality and spiritual direction."
Order of St. Anne (women): "A small, multi-cultural community of women, committed to witnessing to the truth that as 21st century Christians, we belong to this age, this society; and that it is here and now that we demonstrate to the Church and the world that the religious life lived in community is relevant, fulfilling and needed in our world and times. We believe that God has a vision for each one of us and that opportunities to serve the Church and the world are abundant."
Order of Saint Helena (Benedictine, women): "The mission of the Order of Saint Helena is to show forth Christ through a life of monastic prayer, hospitality and service. We are lay and ordained women living communally under a vow of monastic poverty, celibate chastity and obedience to God. From Benedictine roots, we discern new ways to interpret traditional monasticism, as we strive to grow in diversity and inclusivity."
Order of the Holy Cross (Benedictine, men): "The Order is a Benedictine Anglican monastic community founded in 1884 by James Otis Sargent Huntington to provide a specifically North American expression of monasticism."
Sisterhood of St. John the Divine (women): "The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine is a contemporary expression of the religious life for women within the Anglican Church of Canada. Nurtured by our founding vision of prayer, community and ministry, we are open and responsive to the needs of the church and the contemporary world, continually seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our life and ministry."
Saint Gregory's Abbey (Benedictine, men): "A community of men living under the Rule of Saint Benedict within The Episcopal Church. The center of the monastery’s life is the Abbey Church, where God is worshiped in the daily round of Eucharist, Divine Office, and private prayer. Also offered to God are the monks’ daily manual work, study and correspondence, ministry to guests, and occasional outside engagements."
Society of St. John the Evangelist (men): "SSJE was founded in the parish of Cowley in Oxford, England, by Richard Meux Benson in 1866. Brothers of the North American Congregation live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near Harvard Square, and at Emery House in West Newbury, Massachusetts. They gather throughout the day to pray the Divine Office, and live under a modern Rule of Life, adopted in 1997. At profession, they take vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience."
Society of St. Margaret (women): "We are an Episcopal Religious Order of mission focused Sisters living an ancient tradition with a modern outlook, and are called to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through our worship and work, prayer and common life. Our commitment to God and to one another is expressed through vows of poverty, celibate chastity and obedience. As we offer hospitality and holy space to individuals and groups at our Convent, work with inner-city children and the indigent elderly, serve in parishes, and lead retreats and quiet days, we seek always to live as Christ’s hands and heart in this world." Several locations in the USA and one in Haiti.
Traditional Religious Orders: Dispersed
Society of St. Francis (Franciscan, men and women): "The Society of St Francis is an international religious community, within the Anglican communion, with members in many parts of the world. We seek to follow Christ in the way of St Francis of Assisi and St Clare of Assisi." In the Americas, contains The Society of St. Francis, Province of the Americas (First Order, men), The Community of St. Francis, Province of the Americas (First Order, women), The Third Order of the Society of St. Francis, Province of the Americas (Third Order, men and women), and Companions.
Modern Religious Comunities: Located
Canon Communities of St. Benedict (OSBCn) (Benedictine, men and women): "The Canon Communities of St. Benedict (OSBCn) provide a contemporary Anglican framework for the living out of Benedictine Christianity. It is, in part, a recovery of the English tradition of canon communities that flourished before the English Reformation but is also an adaptation of St. Benedict’s Rule suitable for Christian living in today’s world. The order of canons, founded by Fr. Martin-Joseph, Fr. Warren and the late Bishop Creighton Robertson, makes it possible for men and women of the twenty-first century to better grow into the stature of Christ by living the vowed life according to St. Benedict’s Rule." Several locations in the USA and Canada.
Modern Religious Comunities: Dispersed
Anamchara Fellowship (all genders): "Founded in the tradition of the Episcopal Church, with a Celtic spirit, we are an inclusive community, welcoming all people: clergy and lay, married, single, or partners in a committed relationship. We are bound to each other by common ideals and a commitment to prayer and service; our primary ministries focus on retreats and quiet days, pastoral care, intercessory prayer and spiritual direction. Members of the Fellowship may live in their own homes or in groups as the ability for that arises."
Anglican Order of Preachers (Dominican, men and women): "The Anglican Order of Preachers is an apostolic religious community inspired by the spiritual tradition founded by Saint Dominic de Guzman in the thirteenth century. It was not until the last years of the twentieth century that an expression of Dominican spirituality and life could be found outside of the Roman Catholic Church. The Order is composed of men and women from around the world and various provinces of the Anglican Communion and her sister Churches."
Benedictine Priory of St. Mary (Benedictine, women): "The Benedictine Priory of St. Mary is a dispersed Episcopal religious community. We welcome those who identify as women, lay or ordained, single or married, who wish to seek union with God and one another through life under the Rule of St. Benedict. As a dispersed community we live in our own homes and have various kinds of ministry in the world and in the Church. We remain in close contact through the use of technology and our annual in person Gathering."
Brotherhood of Saint Gregory (Gregorian, men): "A Christian Community of The Episcopal Church, whose members follow a common rule and serve the church on parochial, diocesan, and national levels. Members–clergy and lay, without regard to marital status–live individually, in small groups, or with their families. They support themselves and the community through their secular or church-related work, making use of their God-given talents in the world while not being of the world. The trust that all labor and life can be sanctified is summed up in the community’s motto: Soli Deo Gloria, To God Alone the Glory."
Community of Francis and Clare (Franciscan, men and women): "The Community of Francis and Clare is a contemporary vowed community of religious women and men who live a common life of prayer and service within The Episcopal Church, its Communion Partners, and the worldwide Anglican Communion. We seek to follow Jesus in the Franciscan tradition by living simply and humbly, serving and praying with and for the marginalized members of our communities, and by helping to rebuild the church in our day to day contexts. As a contemporary expression of the Franciscan tradition, members are lay and clergy, partnered or single, live individually or in common with their families and support themselves through a secular or church-related employment. We have diverse ministries in our communities, as the Spirit and the needs of the church lead us."
Community of the Gospel: "We are a non-residential Monastic Community in North America whose members try to help each other build a closer relationship with Christ. We do this by living a monastic life of daily prayer, reflective study, and personal service in the secular world. We seek to demonstrate our faith in unique ways as best we can, while allowing our lives to be transformed by God."
Community of the Mother of Jesus (CMJ) (all genders): "We follow Jesus by imitating the model of discipleship lived by Mary, his mother. We minister to our neighbors who are in need and profess the vows of Justice, Tenderness, Humility, and Contemplation. We follow a community rule called, Mary’s Way of Discipleship and prayer the daily office, and the rosary. We live and work in the world and come together frequently to experience the community through prayer, study, service, and the Eucharist. We welcome women and men, lay and ordained, regardless of age, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status. We wear habits of light grey and blue for liturgical and ministerial use."
Companions of Dorothy the Worker (Loosely Franciscan, all genders): "The Companions of Dorothy the Worker is an ecumenical Christian community, dispersed or under one roof; encouraging each other and supporting each other in ministry; living by the work of our own hands; depending on God as we strive to make God’s love felt in the queer community, which has been marginalized by the Church and the World. We accomplish this ministry by being active companions, living and participating with the people we serve; modeling Christ’s love."
Companions of St. Luke, OSB (Benedictine, men and women): "The Companions of St. Luke, OSB, is a recognized religious community within The Episcopal Church. We are a community of men and women who are committed to following the Way of Jesus Christ by living into the Rule and the Vows of St. Benedict. We are a dispersed community with members who live throughout the United States, Canada, and Brazil and who are tied together by our love of Christ. We pray and meditate in our homes and sometimes at work; we study the Rule and scriptures; and we work in the world and in our churches. The struggle for balance in our lives is not unlike the challenge all Benedictines have struggled with through the ages."
House of Initia Nova (Benedictine, men and women): "What are you looking for? Life seems to be one more thing to do – and feels less for it? Does life seem like one distraction after an other – and yet the end is never insight? Does one’s history keep you from becoming more? If any of these ring true, you may be the perfect inquirer into Religious Life. The House of Initia Nova is a Recognized Benedictine Episcopal Community/Order, opened to all who wish to be more tomorrow than you are today. If you are someone who desires a Contemplative life, God – You – Community; centered in prayer, dating back 1,500 plus years yet speaking to contemporary issues, this Benedictine House may be what you are looking for!" Motherhouse in Puerto Rico, other members living elsewhere in mission.
Little Sisters of St. Clare (Franciscan, women): "We are a women’s contemplative community desiring to bring the spirituality of St. Clare into our churches. Our primary ministry is prayer and it is molded by our Franciscan roots. We welcome inquiries from all women who discern a call to Christian community. We live independently and serve in various parishes in the Diocese of Olympia, Washington." Technically dispersed, but only throughout the Diocese of Olympia.
Order of Christ the Saviour (Dominican, all genders): "We are dispersed Dominican Friars in the Anglican Communion committed to Christ's merciful healing for all members of the Body of Christ. Our members profess vows of poverty (simplicity), chastity, and obedience to the Rule of St. Augustine as consecrated religious. Members may or may not be ordained to Holy Orders as well. Brothers and Sisters in formation receive comprehensive formation in Dominican spirituality, Thomistic theology, and Anglican healing and deliverance ministry. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, sex, race/ethnicity, or sexual orientation, and professed members may be married or celibate. "
Order of the Ascension (Benedictine, men and women): "The Order of the Ascension founded in 1983 has helped ground and center its members in their daily life and their roles as parish leaders and developers. The House of Bishop’s Committee on Religious Communities has granted OA recognition as an Episcopal Community under the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church. Members take a Promise 'to seek the presence of Jesus Christ in the people, things and circumstances of life through stability, obedience and conversion of life.'"
Order of Saint Francis (Franciscan, men): "The Order of Saint Francis is an active, Apostolic Christian religious First Order within the Franciscan tradition. The OSF admits members of the Anglican Communion (and church in full communion). Rather than living in an enclosed communal setting, OSF brothers live independently in different parts of the world, with ministries based on the needs of their local communities. Members are baptized men who have been confirmed within the Anglican Communion, and who voluntarily commit to living by a set of vows for a term of years or for life. The OSF is a dispersed order, which welcomes men with dual vocations (Lay as well as clergy). Brothers may also be married or single and can be found in the United States, Canada, and Italy." Not affiliated with the Society of St. Francis.
Rivendell Community (men and women): "Rivendell is a Eucharistic community working and praying to renew the vision of the Church as a holy priesthood, in and on behalf of the world. The Community seeks to provide well-educated and holy priestly ministry for smaller, less affluent, struggling churches, and to create and serve houses of prayer and hospitality. The Motherhouse is in Dunnegan, Missouri. Members include women and men; celibate and married; lay, ordained, residential and non-residential."
Sisters of Saint Gregory (Gregorian, women): "The Sisters of Saint Gregory is a canonically-recognized community of women in the Episcopal Church who have been called by God to live the vowed life together, though dispersed, in a diversity of styles and spiritualities in the world. We live intentionally dispersed, following a common Rule of Life. We come together each year for convocation, retreat, business, fellowship and worship. We are women of prayer, lovers of God; servants of the holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We are lay and clergy, young and old, married, widowed, divorced, single or partnered. We are an inclusive community. Some of us live in families, some on our own. We have Sisters in the United States, including Hawaii, and in Canada."
Society of St. Anna the Prophet (women over 50): "The Society of St. Anna the Prophet is an Episcopal society of mature women living within vows of simplicity, creativity and balance called to be prophets of Christ perceiving and proclaiming to the church and to the world God’s transforming presence and power in the lives of old and young."
St. Hildegard's Community (all genders): "Inspired by Hildegard of Bingen and the divine feminine, St. Hildegard’s Community reaches out to connect in the Beloved Community, open to the wisdom of other faith traditions, encircling and healing Mother Earth, We seek to create a dispersed community that is gentle and generous: nurturing relationships and intimacy with the sacred while fostering accountability, healing, and growth. Our spiritual life is rooted in a traditional three-fold pattern of contemplation, action for social justice, and intimacy in community. We at St. Hildegard’s recognize the Spirit calling us to boldness and passion, inclusivity and authenticity. Belonging to the larger Body of Christ, we are called to help recreate the church for the future."
Worker Sisters and Worker Brothers of the Holy Spirit (men and women): "The Worker Sisters and Brothers of the Holy Spirit is an International Covenant Community which seeks to respond to God’s call through the power of the Holy Spirit, participate in Jesus Christ’s vision of unity, become his holy people, show forth Fruit, and in obedience to his command, go forth into the world. It offers women and men—married, single, divorced, or partnered—a path for individual spiritual growth through a life commitment to a Rule which provides an opportunity to experience prayer, worship, becoming, discovery, belonging, relating, commitment, and mission."
Episcopal & Anglican Societies & Guilds
Brotherhood of St. Andrew: fraternal society whose members live under a Rule of Life, practice fellowship, and do charitable work. Originally Episcopalian, currently admits Christians of other denominations. Brother organization to the Daughters of the King.
Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament (Britain and North America [either here or here—hard to tell]): devotional society centered on the Holy Eucharist.
Fidelium London: association of Anglo-Catholics 18-35 in the London area. Puts on events.
Fraternity of St. James Garlickhythe: religious guild of the parish of St. James Garlickhythe in Garlic Hill, London. Founded 1375, dissolved by Henry VIII 1549, revived 2026. Open to men and women.
Guild of All Souls: promotes proper Christian care for the sick, the dying, and the dead. Members pray weekly for the dying and dead of the guild and recite a litany for all faithful departed monthly. Also, deceased friends and relatives can be posthumously enrolled in the guild.
Guild of Scholars of the Episcopal Church: society of Episcopalians who are active in scholarly fields.
Historical Society of the Episcopal Church (formerly Church Historical Society): what it says on the tin.
National Altar Guild Association: for members of parish altar guilds. Entire parishes and even whole dioceses can obtain membership.
Order of St. Vincent: for lay ministers who care deeply about the liturgy and traditions of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, both in general and as expressed in their specific branches. Members commit to regular worship, study and application of traditional rituals and liturgics, and praying for the unity of the whole Church. Not exclusively Anglican, but most members are.
Order of the Daughters of the King: sororal society whose members live under a Rule of Life, practice fellowship, do charitable work, and work for the spiritual building up of their churches. Originally Episcopalian, currently admits Christians of other denominations. Sister organization to the Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Prayer Book Society (Britain and North America): society for the preservation and promotion of the Book of Common Prayer. Dislikes newer, more experimental liturgies. USA branch rejects the 1979 BCP.
Society of Catholic Priests (Britain and North America [and theoretically Australia]): for priests in the Anglican Communion who are very dedicated to Anglicanism, principally from an Anglo-Catholic perspective. Members live under a rule of life and support each other. Similar to SSC, but more on the inclusive orthodox side.
Society of King Charles the Martyr (Britain and North America): devotional society dedicated to the cult (in the traditional sense) of Charles I of England, whom the Society venerates as a saint and martyr for the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Commemorates Charles on January 30th, the day of his death, and seeks to (re)instate his commemoration in Anglican churches.
Society of Mary: a devotional society centered on the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Not tied to any particular location or event. Has many local wards and cells.
Society of Our Lady of Walsingham: promotes and prays for the Shirne of Our Lady of Walsingham in England.
Society of Sacramental Socialists: for liberal Anglo-Catholics who adhere to political socialism. Members live under a Rule of Life.
Society of the Holy Cross (SSC): for male priests in the Anglican Communion who are fiercely dedicated to the traditional ways of Anglicanism. Stated objectives are "To defend and strengthen the spiritual life of the clergy, to defend the faith of the Church, and to carry on and aid Mission work both at home and abroad." Members live under a Rule of Life. Known for being very conservative.
Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church: for TEC vergers.
Other Groups
Angaylicans: an inclusive orthodox (read: queer-affirming) Anglican Discord server.
Anglican Pacifist Fellowship: pacifist activist organization of Anglicans worldwide (in the Anglican Communion).
Cantercord: one of the bigger Anglican Discord servers.
Episcopal Peace Fellowship: pacifist activist organization of USA Episcopalians.
Episcopal Relief & Development: international relief and development organization run by TEC.
Episcopal Service Corps: "Episcopal Service Corps empowers adults ages 21-32 to transform unjust structures through community building, local collaboration, prayer, and action."
National Episcopal Church Women: "Since 1871, the National Episcopal Church Women, ECW, have championed women’s rights and the Christian foundation of God and family. They are a ministry of the Episcopal Church and celebrate that Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Their women’s ministry and children’s programs feed, educate, and provide community grants around the world. They are a volunteer organization that creates a legacy for Episcopal Church Women to lead future generations with stewardship in Christ."
TransEpiscopal: "TransEpiscopal is a group of transgender, nonbinary, and allied Episcopalians dedicated to fostering the full embrace of trans and nonbinary people, and our loved ones within the Episcopal Church and to inspiring faith-based advocacy for trans and nonbinary justice in the wider world. We are an informal group and though many of us are affiliated with the Episcopal Church we have no official relationship to the Episcopal Church."
Union of Black Episcopalians: works to combat racism in TEC and advocate for its black members.