Evangelical~1609
Baptist
📍 Amsterdam, Netherlands (English Separatists); spread to England and America
Scripture alone, believer's baptism by immersion, congregational governance.
Learn moreFree Resource
Denomination Explorer
Christianity is not one tradition. It is a family shaped by centuries of faith, geography, and the many ways people have met God. Explore the full family here. All branches. No judgment.
Evangelical1863
Seventh-day Adventist
📍 Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
Saturday Sabbath, healthy living, and the imminent return of Christ.
Learn moreEvangelical~1906 (formal separation)
Churches of Christ (a cappella)
📍 Southern USA (Tennessee, Texas)
Scripture only: no instruments in worship, no creed, believer's baptism for salvation.
Learn moreEvangelical~1927 (identified as distinct body)
Christian Churches (Independent)
📍 USA (Midwest)
Instrumental Stone-Campbell conservatives: direct New Testament Christianity.
Learn moreEvangelical~1860s
Stundists
📍 Ukraine (Odessa region), Russian Empire
Ukrainian Protestant movement born from German pietist Bible hours.
Learn moreEvangelical~1970s–present
Non-denominational Evangelical
📍 USA (primarily); now global
Bible-believing, Jesus-centred Christianity without traditional denominational labels.
Learn moreEvangelical1831
Plymouth Brethren
📍 Plymouth, England; Dublin, Ireland
No clergy, no creed: just the Lord's Table and Scripture exposition.
Learn moreEvangelical1908
Church of the Nazarene (Holiness)
📍 Pilot Point, Texas, USA
Entire sanctification: Wesley's second blessing in the American heartland.
Learn moreEvangelical1865
Salvation Army
📍 East London, England
An army for God: evangelism, soup kitchens, and no sacraments.
Learn moreEvangelical1827
Primitive Baptist
📍 Southern USA
Old-school Calvinist Baptists: no Sunday schools, no paid ministers, no instruments.
Learn moreEvangelical1860
Free Methodist Church
📍 Pekin, New York, USA
Free pews, free slaves, free grace - the abolitionist breakaway from Methodism.
Learn moreEvangelical1968 (merger); roots in 1843
Wesleyan Church
📍 Indiana, USA
Holiness, social action, and entire sanctification in the Wesleyan tradition.
Learn moreEvangelical1881
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
📍 Anderson, Indiana, USA
No membership roll, no creed - just the restored New Testament Church.
Learn moreEvangelical1887
Christian Missionary Alliance (C&MA)
📍 New York City, USA
A.B. Simpson's Fourfold Gospel: Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer, Coming King.
Learn moreEvangelical~1770s
Brethren in Christ
📍 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
Where Anabaptist, Pietist, and Holiness streams converge.
Learn moreOrigin
B.T. Roberts and colleagues were expelled from the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1858 for opposing the sale of pew rentals (which excluded the poor), slavery, and secret societies like Freemasonry. In 1860 they founded the Free Methodist Church. 'Free' carries a triple meaning: free pews (open to all regardless of wealth), free grace (Wesleyan Arminian soteriology), and freedom of the Spirit in worship. The church was abolitionist and egalitarian from its founding.
Core beliefs
- Entire sanctification as a second definite work of grace (Wesleyan Holiness)
- Arminian soteriology: prevenient grace, free will, universal atonement
- Racial and economic equality - abolitionist heritage central to identity
- Free pews: worship open to all regardless of social standing
- Modesty, simplicity, and non-conformity to worldly culture
Worship style
Traditional evangelical worship with hymns, testimonies, and altar calls. Women fully ordained from the founding of the denomination. Emphasis on holiness living, prayer meetings, and compassionate social ministry. Contemporary congregations vary widely in style.
Key scriptures
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23
- Galatians 5:1
- Hebrews 12:14
- Romans 6:22
Relationship to other denominations
Part of the Wesleyan-Holiness family alongside the Wesleyan Church, Church of the Nazarene, and Salvation Army. Distinguished by its abolitionist founding and commitment to egalitarianism. In full communion with the Wesleyan Church.