Catholic Apostolic Church

Catholic Apostolic Church religious community originating in England c.1831 and extending later to Germany and the United States (1848). It was founded under the influence of Edward Irving ; its members are sometimes called Irvingites. Because of their prophetic gifts, 12 apostles (including Henry Drummond ) were in 1835 set aside as officers. They were expected to survive until the Second Coming of Jesus, but the last of them died in 1901. When the apostles began to die, a schism took place in Germany over the appointing of successors. This led to the formation (1863) of the New Apostolic Church, the formal name of the present-day organization. An angel, or bishop, presides over each congregation; he is assisted by pastors, teachers, and others. Symbolism and mystery of worship characterize the elaborate liturgy, which has borrowed much from the Roman Catholic Church, including devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Much emphasis is given to the Second Coming of Jesus. The membership is about 8 million worldwide (1994).

Catholic Apostolic Church This millennialist denomination derived from meetings held from 1826 at Albury Park, the Surrey home of the London banker and Tory politician Henry Drummond (1786–1860). Among those attending was Edward Irving, minister of Regent Square Scottish Church, London, then at the peak of his wayward genius. Excluded from Regent Square in 1832, Irving established a congregation in Newman Street. This became the first Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. Liberally supported by Drummond, the new body developed a hierarchy of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors. Since only apostles could ordain, the Church, which claimed 6, 000 members in 1851, lost its impetus after the last apostle's death in 1901.

Catholic Apostolic Church. A Christian denomination founded in 1832 by followers of Edward Irving, and so also called Irvingites. Irving was a Church of Scotland pastor (expelled in 1833) and exponent of millennarianism and of the gift of tongues (glossolalia). The new church sought to re-establish a biblical church order with ‘apostles’, ‘prophets’, and ‘evangelists’, as well as, later, a local ministry of ‘angels’ (bishops), priests, and deacons. The substantial church built in Gordon Square, London (1853) became the Anglican chaplaincy to Univ. of London. See also NEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH.