On 24 Aug, Carol <markilli@inreach.com> was inquiring about French Episcopal churches in England -- ie. how many there were, when they came into being, etc. Carol, I also had never heard of this designation before I began researching the Bristol, Plymouth, Stonehouse records. I have no idea of their meaning, their origins, etc. However, I will have another look to see if the Introduction or Foreword in the texts give any information. (I'm usually too pressed for time to do more than take a quick glance at these sections of the records -- which are interesting and packed with info, but many pages long.) I will post anything I learn to the list sometime after next Tuesday (29 Aug) when the local FHC opens again. I don't think that the Archbishop of Canterbury would be their head because then they would be Church of England (ie. Anglican). Can any other listers shed light on this subject? Andrea

Following my interest in Irish Huguenot families I have found several books including, in general terms(mine) this information. When the Huguenots, speaking French and Calvinist in their religion, emigrated to Ireland they basically had 2 options. They could 'conform' i.e. worship in the way of the Church of Ireland (Anglican, Archbish. of Canterbury etc) and use the French translation of the Anglican liturgy. The 'non conformist' French churches in Ireland and England were those who kept their own system of church government and did not join the Anglicans. In later years some of them joined the Presbyterians who were another Calvinist church. In Dublin those who 'conformed' worshiped at St. Mary's Chapel at St Patrick's Cathedral, while the 'non conformists' worshiped at chapels in Lucy Lane and Peter St(originally Wood St). Both groups used FRench language in their services. Although the term 'Episcopalian" in American refers to Anglican as used in UK, Aust, NZ etc; in the Huguenot sense I understand it refers to the Anglican church hierarchy as led by bishops. One of the objections the Protestants had in France was, aside from theology etc, was the control of the church by the bishops. They wanted control by the people. I hope I have made this clear without any distortion of the facts. Shirley Arabin. Mount Maunganui, NEW ZEALAND who has no drop of Huguenot blood, but her husband does.