John F. Nash - The Sacramental Church: The Story of Anglo-Catholicism

The Story of Anglo-Catholicism

John F. Nash

T he Sacramental Church is the story of Anglo-Catholicism in Great Britain and North America. The book explores the historical, liturgical, and doctrinal foundations of Anglo-Catholicism, the circumstances in which it emerged, and what it offers today. Anglo-Catholicism is an expression of the Anglican faith that attaches great importance to the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of the Altar. It also emphasizes the sacred ministry that extends back to the time of Christ.

This book is written for the intelligent, non-specialist readerone who wants a readable story but expects more than a shallow, superficial treatment and who welcomes opportunities for further reading. It is addressed to Anglo-Catholic laity and clergy, high-church Anglicans/Episcopalians, members of other Anglican traditions, and all others interested in sacramental Christianity. The need for a new book is clear. The last comparable work, Bishop Charles C. Graftons The Lineage of the American Catholic Movement , was published in 1911 . More recent works have been more restricted in scope or hostile to Anglo-Catholicism.

The Sacramental Church cites the work of numerous individuals and, through liberal use of direct quotes, allows many of them to speak for themselves. It is in large measure their story. My job, to borrow a metaphor from John Mason Neale, has been to provide the thread on which the pearls are strung. The book is designed as a reference source as well as a narrative. The citations and bibliography will help readers find information of special interest.

All scriptural citations are taken from the King James Bible. Most of the Prayer Book quotes are from the websites of the Society of Archbishop Justus, a nonprofit organization in New York State, named for the fourth archbishop of Canterbury. Quotes from the Tracts for the Times (except Tracts ) and many other references are taken from the Anglican History websites of Project Canterbury, an international volunteer organization. Our grateful thanks go to these organizations for their support of scholarly research as well as to the authors who shared their wisdom in the extensive literature on which this book draws.

Citing works from the Tudor and other early periods raises the issue of whether or not to retain archaic spelling. While doing so captures something of the spirit of the timesfor example: Of Baptisme, bothe publique and priuate and Lorde, nowe lettest thou thy servaunte departe in peaceit impedes readability. Accordingly, modern English spelling is imposed on direct quotes, though no attempt has been made to alter words like thee, doth, and bemost. Original punctuation, capitalization, and British spelling are preserved where applicable.

Much has happened in the few short years since I wrote Christianity: the One, the Many . How I became an Anglo-Catholic revolves around All Saints, Margaret Street, London, and the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral. It also involves Father Richard Shackleford, now rector of St Timothys Church, Kingsport, Tennessee. That story must be told elsewhere.

The Sacramental Church is dedicated to St Marys Church, Asheville, North Carolina. My sincere gratitude goes to Father Brent Norris, rector of St Marys, who welcomed me into his parish and encouraged me in this project. Also to Bishop G. Porter Taylor of Western North Carolina who received me into the Episcopal Church.

I am indebted to the Rev. A. Charles Cannon, the Rev. Dr. O. C. Edwards, Jr., and Dr. David Moltke-Hansen for their very generous support and helpful comments on the manuscript. Rev. Cannon is former rector of St Thomas Episcopal Church, Coral Gables, Florida, and St Andrews, South Carolina. Dr. Edwards is dean emeritus, Seabury-Western Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, and author of the award-winning A History of Preaching . Dr. Moltke-Hansen retired from the presidency of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. I also acknowledge helpful suggestions from the Very Rev. William Willoughby, rector of St Pauls, Savannah, GA. What weaknesses remain in the book are entirely mine. My most sincere thanks go to Sylvia Lagergren, whose love and support made this project possible.

John F. Nash www.sacramentalchurch.com December 2010