Book of Common Prayer

         The first Book of Common Prayer for the Church of England came into use on Pentecost, 1549. The Episcopal Church celebrates that historical event on the first weekday after Pentecost. This first prayer book in the English language was prepared primarily by the gifted Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer. Continually evolving Church of England prayer books were issued in 1552, 1559, 1604, 1662, and several trial-use liturgies since the mid-1960s. After the American Revolution, new versions were provided for the Episcopal Church in the United States in 1789 (omitting oaths of loyalty to the King!), then in 1892, 1928, and 1979.

The "Ratification" and "Preface" to the first American Book of Common Prayer may be found on pages 8 and 9 of our current (1979) Book of Common Prayer. Although there is constant study of our forms of worship by the Standing Liturgical Commission of the Episcopal Church, a date for any new revision has not been established. The transitions to new versions are always unsettling for many people, including clergy.