Anglican
Although in the 1851 religious census, non-conformist denominations - particularly Methodism - were dominant in the town of Harrogate and in the wider borough, today the largest denomination is the Church of England (Angican), represented by a wide range of churches.
Christ Church on the Stray was the first church building in Harrogate, originating as a church plant from St John's. Knaresborough, and then developing into a separate parish. Christ Church in turn planted St Peter's in the town centre, St John's, Bilton and St Andrew's, Starbeck - all of which today (like Christ Church itself) are thriving parish churches.
Over time as Harrogate grew further churches were planted, including St. Wilfrid's and St Mark's. In recent years both All Saints, Harlow Hill and St Mary's have closed and new fresh expression of church known as the Kairos Church has developed as a network church across the town.
The wider Anglican network (Deanery) also includes Birstwith and Wetherby, with churches in the villages of Hampsthwaite, Killinghall, Beckwithshaw, Kirby Overblow, Spofforth, Kirk Deighton and Little Ribston.
The Anglican churches in Harrogate today represent the largest denomination in the town, but are deeply committed to working with the widest range of churches regardless of denominational allegiance.
Read more about this topic: Churches In Harrogate
Famous quotes containing the word anglican:
“I am fifty-two years of age. I am a bishop in the Anglican Church, and a few people might be constrained to say that I was reasonably responsible. In the land of my birth I cannot vote, whereas a young person of eighteen can vote. And why? Because he or she possesses that wonderful biological attribute—a white skin.”
—Desmond Tutu (b. 1931)
“I was the rector’s son, born to the anglican order,
Banned for ever from the candles of the Irish poor;
The Chichesters knelt in marble at the end of a transept
With ruffs about their necks, their portion sure.”
—Louis MacNeice (1907–1963)
“The Anglican Church is marked by the grace and good sense of its forms, by the manly grace of its clergy. The gospel it preaches is, “By taste are ye saved.” ... It is not in ordinary a persecuting church; it is not inquisitorial, not even inquisitive, is perfectly well bred and can shut its eyes on all proper occasions. If you let it alone, it will let you alone. But its instinct is hostile to all change in politics, literature, or social arts.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)