A free church is typically a Christian denomination that is intrinsically separated from any government (as opposed to a theocracy, or an "established" or state church). However there are a number of Pagans and/or Wiccans that have also formed free churches which some are referred to as Covens, Groves, or Ministries. A free church does not define government policy, nor have governments define church policy or theology, nor seeks or receives government endorsement or funding for its general mission.

This is historically what the Christian church was before Emperor Constantine, and did not appear again until the Protestant Reformation, and only within some particular radical movements such as the Anabaptists and Calvinists

Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glaswegian celebrated artist, build the Queen’s Cross Church in Maryhill, Glasgow. The building was a project for the Free Church and Mackintosh gave it his own iconic twist, marrying different styles and influences together in this unique space. Queen's Cross Church is also the only church by Mackintosh to be built and functioned as a Parish Church until 1976.

Presbyterianism

A number of churches in Scotland and Northern Ireland, mainly of the presbyterian tradition, have used the name 'Free Church'. The most important of these to persist at the present time is the Free Church of Scotland.

Satanism

The Sinagogue of Satan has been ironically labeled a 'Free Church' by Michael S. Margolin in "A Free Church for a Change".

China

Within present-day China the largest free churches are the True Jesus Church, Church Assembly Hall and New Birth Movement. Possibly several millions of persons in China belong to isolated radio churches.

See also

• Separation of church and state
• Constantine I And Christianity
• Free Church Federation

Notes

1. See video of the Church and Interview with Stuart Robertson, Charles Rennie Mackintosh Director (February, 2008)

External links

• Where did Separation of Church and State originate?
• origins of the Free Church tradition within the Radical Reformation

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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Free church". Image Credit.

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