The global church

Christianity in Europe

Europe was shaped by Christianity for nearly two thousand years, in its cathedrals and universities, its art and music, its calendars and care for the poor. The continent holds the great streams of the church side by side: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. Today much of Western Europe has grown more secular, while faith remains strong in parts of the east and south and among immigrant and renewal communities. The church in Europe is older and quieter than it was, but it is far from gone.

A continent shaped by the faith

The Gospel reached Europe early. Paul carried it to Greece and Rome in the first century, and over the following centuries the faith spread from the Mediterranean to the far north. Monasteries preserved learning, cared for the sick, and cleared the land; cathedrals rose over generations; the first universities were born from the church. The Reformation of the sixteenth century reshaped much of the north, and from Europe missionaries later carried the faith across the world.

The three great streams still mark the map. Southern and central Europe are historically Catholic; the east is Eastern Orthodox, from Greece and the Balkans to Russia; the north bears the Protestant Reformation of Luther, Calvin, and the reformers of England.

Faith and secular change today

Much of Western Europe has become notably secular, with fewer people attending church than in past generations. This is real and worth naming honestly. Yet the story is not simply decline. Faith remains strong in parts of eastern and southern Europe; immigrant congregations, often African, Asian, and Latin American, bring fresh life to old cities; and renewal movements and quiet devotion continue. Europe both sent the faith out and is now, in places, receiving it back.

The traditions here

Europe is where several of the great traditions took their historic form, and all of them remain, listed here as one family and none above another.

The Catholic Church

The largest single communion, led by the Bishop of Rome, present on every continent and expressed through both the Latin rite and many Eastern Catholic churches.

Eastern Orthodoxy

The ancient churches of the Greek, Slavic, and other Eastern traditions, such as the Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, and Antiochian Orthodox, keeping the liturgy and the councils of the first millennium.

Oriental Orthodoxy

The oldest churches of the East, including the Coptic (Egypt), Ethiopian and Eritrean, Armenian Apostolic, and Syriac Orthodox, each with its own ancient language, calendar, and rite.

Anglican and Episcopal churches

A worldwide communion born in England and now strongest in Africa, holding together sacramental worship and the open Bible.

Lutheran churches

Rooted in the Reformation of Martin Luther, strong in Germany and Scandinavia and, today, very numerous in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and across Africa and Asia.

Reformed and Presbyterian churches

The tradition of Calvin and the Reformation, from the Church of Scotland to large churches in Korea, Africa, and the Americas.

Baptist churches

Congregations gathered around believer's baptism and the local church, widespread across the Americas, Africa, and beyond.

Methodist and Wesleyan churches

Born in the revival of John Wesley, marked by warm-hearted faith and works of mercy, and now global.

Pentecostal and Charismatic churches

The fastest-growing stream, emphasizing the Holy Spirit, prayer, and healing, immense across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Evangelical and nondenominational churches

A wide family centered on the Gospel, the Bible, and personal faith in Christ, crossing many denominations.

African Independent (Initiated) Churches

Thousands of churches founded and led by Africans, such as the Aladura and Zion and Kimbanguist churches, giving African expression to the faith in Christ.

Countless local expressions

House churches, village congregations, minority communities, and new movements, in every language under heaven, each a real part of the one Body.

This is not a ladder to be climbed but a family to be loved. The apostle prayed that all who follow Jesus would be one, as he and the Father are one, so that the world might believe.

Find community

Reading about the church is good. Belonging to it is better. Here are honest doors into the living communities behind these words, and into a church near you.

Meet Jesus in your language

The Gospel has never belonged to one nation or one tongue. From the first day the Spirit came, people heard the wonderful works of God each in their own language, and that is still the heart of the church. Wherever you are, and whatever words you pray in, Jesus draws near.

More languages are opening over time. If your language is not here yet, the Gospel of John and an honest prayer in your own words are a good place to begin.

Frequently asked questions

Is Christianity declining in Europe?

Much of Western Europe has grown more secular, with lower church attendance than in the past. That is real. Yet faith remains strong in parts of the east and south, and immigrant and renewal communities bring new life.

What are the main Christian traditions in Europe?

Three great streams mark the map: Catholic in the south and center, Eastern Orthodox in the east, and Protestant in the north, alongside growing evangelical, Pentecostal, and immigrant churches.

How did Christianity shape Europe?

For nearly two thousand years it shaped Europe's cathedrals, universities, art, music, calendars, hospitals, and care for the poor, and from Europe missionaries later carried the faith across the world.