Christian Denominations

Eastern Orthodox Church

1054

The founder of this establishment is believed to have been Jesus Christ. They split from the Roman Catholics during the Great Schism. The Great Schism came about due to a complex mix of religious disagreements and political conflicts.

Lutheran Church

1517

The Lutheran Church was established by Martin Luther. One of the most significant branches of Protestantism emerged after the Lutheran Catholic Church broke away from Roman Catholics.  Luther nailed his 95 Theses—which criticised the Catholic Church for selling indulgences—to the door of his Catholic church and questioned the authority of the Pope. His excommunication as a result sparked the Protestant Reformation, which began.

Anglican Church

1534

King Henry VIII was regarded as the Anglican Church of England's founder. The Church of England severed ties with Rome during the reign of King Henry VIII in the 16th century, partly as a result of Pope Clement VII's refusal to grant Henry an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Baptist

1638

America's first Baptist church was founded by Rodger Williams. The Church of England and the Baptist Church separated, because they thought church membership should be optional and that only believers should be baptised. The Baptists broke away from the Church of England. They disapproved of the Church of England's parish system, in which members were "born" into the church and baptised as children.