Christian Denominations Timeline

  • 33 BCE

    Eastern Orthodox Church

    Founded in 33 AD
    Jesus Christ and his apostles founded the Church
    The Eastern Orthodox Church split from the Roman Catholic Church in the Great Schism of 1054
    The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches split in the Great Schism of 1054 due to a combination of theological, political, and cultural disagreements, notably regarding papal authority and the filioque clause.
  • Period: 33 BCE to

    Christian Denominations

  • 1500

    Lutheran Church

    Founded in the early 16th century
    Founded by Marin Luther
    The Lutheran Church split from the Roman Catholic Church in the early 16th century, initiated by Martin Luther's challenge to various Catholic practices and doctrines
    The Lutheran Church split from the Catholic Church due to Martin Luther's theological objections to practices like the sale of indulgences and his belief that salvation is a gift received through faith alone, not through church institutions or good works.
  • 1534

    Church of England/Anglican

    1534 was when it was founded
    King Henry VIII founded the Anglican Church, which began as the Church of England after he broke from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century, primarily to grant himself a divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.
    The Anglican Church, beginning with the Church of England in the 16th century, split from the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Baptist

    Founded in 1609
    Founded by John Smyth and Thomas Helwys
    Split from the Church of England
    Baptists first split from the Church of England due to disagreements over infant baptism and the role of the state church, believing baptism should be for voluntary, confessing believers, not a mandatory practice for all born into the church.
  • Methodist

    Founded in 1968
    The Methodist Church was founded by John Wesley, an English cleric and theologian, and his brother Charles Wesley
    The Methodist church split from the Church of England (Anglicanism)
    disagreements over LGBTQ+ rights, specifically the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the acceptance of same-sex marriage.
  • Presbyterian

    Founded in 1983
    The Presbyterian Church was founded by John Calvin
    Split from the Roman Catholic Church
    The Presbyterian Church split for various reasons, including the American Civil War and differing views on slavery
  • Uniting Church

    Founded in 1977
    The Uniting Church in Australia was not founded by a single person
    The Uniting Church in Australia was not formed from a split, but rather as a union of existing denominations
    the "split" is a deep internal division over the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, particularly the ordination of openly gay and lesbian ministers and the performance of same-sex marriages.
  • Hillsong Church

    Founded in 1983
    Founded by Brian and Bobbie Houston
    Hillsong United separated from the global Hillsong Church in 2018
    Hillsong experienced a split due to scandals involving its founder Brian Houston and former pastor Carl Lentz,