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You are here:  WCC > Member churches > Regions > North America > United States of America
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United States of America

Population

About country profiles

The country profiles are intended to provide some background and context for the descriptions of the churches. These profiles should be read in conjunction with those of the churches in the country.

Click here for the sources of the statistical data

:
300,037,102
Surface area:9,600,000 km2
Capital:Washington D.C.
GNI per capita:41,400 US$
Classification:Major industrialized economy
Languages:

English

Spanish

Religions:

Christian: 85.00%

Jewish: 2.00%

Muslim: 1.50%

Other: 3.00%

Christianity:

Catholics: 65,900,000

Protestants: 61,294,590

Orthodox: 5,922,360

Anglicans: 2,206,000

Independent: 80,286,300

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The first inhabitants of America were the Indians. As of the 16th century Europeans established colonies in the "new world" and brought in slaves from Africa. The British colonies declared their independence and founded the United States in 1776. A conflict over state rights and slavery led to the Civil War of 1861-63. In the second half of the 19th century the United States became a major economic power, through mass immigration from Europe, industrialization and expansion to the west. The American Indians were forced onto reservations or into assimilation. In the 20th century the United States emerged as a political and military power, confronting the communist block. Since the end of the cold war it is the only super power. Immigration in the 20th century, especially from Latin America and Asia, has contributed to the great diversity of the society. Christianity came to the US with the settlers. All the major traditions and denominations are present. The Great Awakenings of the 19th century have played a major role in the emergence of the Evangelical, Holiness, Pentecostal and Charismatic movements and their extension in the world. The African American churches were at the heart of the Civil Rights movement in the 1950-60s which brought an end to racial segregation. New forms of church, e.g. megachurches, non-denominational churches, have originated in the US and spread to other countries. The Catholic Church is the single largest church. Baptists make up 33 percent of the Protestants and independents, Pentecostals 18 percent, and non-denominational Evangelicals and Charismatics 12 percent. Almost all the Orthodox patriarchates have archdioceses or dioceses in the US and are integrated in the society. The National Council of Churches is the ecumenical body, and the National Association of Evangelicals is affiliated with the WEA.

More on the United States:

Ecumenical solidarity visit to the United States

Church leaders and communities facing situations of violence in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and New Orleans shared their experiences with an international ecumenical team that visited the United States from 15-23 September 2007. Read more...

Portraits of church life in the United States

Two multimedia portraits of church life in the United States of America can be viewed on the 'Keeping the Faith' website: The Church of Mary Magdalene in Seattle and Blessing of the crab fleet in Alaska.

 

Last updated: 01/01/06 

Ecumenical Organizations and Councils

Christian Churches Together in the USA
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA

WCC member churches based in United States of America

African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
American Baptist Churches in the USA
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Church of the Brethren
Episcopal Church in the USA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
Hungarian Reformed Church in America
International Council of Community Churches
International Evangelical Church
Moravian Church in America
National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.
National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
Orthodox Church in America
Polish National Catholic Church
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
Reformed Church in America
Religious Society of Friends: Friends General Conference
Religious Society of Friends: Friends United Meeting
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church

WCC member churches present in United States of America

Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa
Congregational Christian Church in Samoa
Ecumenical Patriarchate
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Note: The list of churches present in countries is still in development.

 

WCC documents on:

United States of America

User notes on «United States of America» :

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