Episcopal Shield: Episcopal Church : Gifts

ROOTS OF THE EPISCOPAL SHIELD

The Episcopal Shield has its roots in the American Revolution. Because the colonies were succeeding from the home of the Church of England, it became necessary for the church to establish its own presence as well. In 1789, nine dioceses met in Philadelphia to ratify the initial constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (now referred to as “The Episcopal Church”). This is the same year in which the new Book of Common Prayer was written for the new country.

CREATION OF THE EPISCOPAL SHIELD

In 1940 the Episcopal Shield was adopted. The shield is a visual representation of the church’s history. Its colors (red, white and blue) represent the colors in the American flag. Within the white field there is a red St. George’s Cross; as he is the patron saint of the Church of England. While the Episcopal Shield recognizes its roots in the Church of England, it does more to represent its individual history in the blue field with the nine crosslets. Each cross represents one of the nine dioceses that met in Philadelphia in 1789 to ratify the initial constitution. Also, the crosses in the Episcopal Shield form a St. Andrew’s cross as a remembrance to Scottish Episcopal Churches. (St. Andrew was the patron saint of Scotland.) Their Bishops ordained the first American Bishop in 1784.

FUTURE OF THE EPISCOPAL SHIELD

Today, the Episcopal Church has dioceses outside the United States. There are nine provinces in total in places such as Taiwan, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. The Episcopal Shield is a valid symbol throughout the world as it continues to be a visual history of the church. The Episcopal Church is part of a larger body that consists of 72 million members world wide and continues to invite people of all backgrounds.

Please visit our selection of Episcopal Shields in our online store. We have everything from Episcopal Shield Golf gift Sets, keepsake boxes, pen stands, letter openers, book marks, paperweights, door signs, pins and pendants.