Catholicism
The largest Christian tradition worldwide, in communion with the Pope in Rome, centred on the sacraments and an unbroken two-thousand-year continuity.
397,570 churches →Denominations explained
Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal — what actually separates them? Each guide answers the same six questions, and points you to churches near you.
Baptist churches
A Protestant tradition marked by believer's baptism by full immersion, and by every congregation governing itself.
125,494 churches →Pentecostal churches
A Protestant movement centred on the present work of the Holy Spirit — tongues, healing and prophecy are expected as normal Christian experience.
49,793 churches →Anglican churches
Born of the English Reformation: liturgy close to Catholic practice, doctrine broadly Protestant, and unusually wide internal diversity.
43,800 churches →Lutheran churches
The first Reformation tradition, built on justification by faith alone, while keeping much of the older liturgy.
28,498 churches →Orthodox Christianity
The Eastern Christian tradition, known for icons, ancient liturgy and a spirituality centred on union with God.
19,967 churches →Methodist churches
A revival tradition from the Wesley brothers, holding personal holiness and social action together.
17,121 churches →Presbyterian churches
The main Reformed tradition: governed by councils of elders, with strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God.
9,577 churches →Evangelical churches
Not a single denomination but an outlook found across many: personal conversion, biblical authority and active evangelism.
52,163 churches →Non-denominational churches
Churches belonging to no denomination — self-governing, self-named, and among the fastest-growing categories in recent decades.
1,672 churches →How to read any denomination quickly
You do not need to memorise the names. Six questions place almost any tradition:
- Authority: Scripture alone, or Scripture with tradition?
- Salvation: chosen by God, or freely accepted or refused?
- Baptism: are infants baptised? Pouring or full immersion?
- Communion: truly the body of Christ, or a memorial?
- Who decides: bishops, elders, or the whole congregation?
- Spiritual gifts: do tongues and healing continue today?