History
Archdiocese of King Charles the Martyr
We trace our roots to the Church of England and operate as an independent body in fellowship with Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON). We’re not a new church, but a continuing one—holding firm to the teachings and traditions of the Church of England before it was overtaken by liberalism.
We uphold the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God, and follow the Book of Common Prayer, the Ordinal, and the 39 Articles of Religion as faithful expressions of our beliefs.
We affirm the two Gospel Sacraments—Holy Baptism, fulfilled in Confirmation, and Holy Communion, through which we partake in Christ’s sacrifice. We also maintain the historic Holy Orders of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, and, in line with Scripture and tradition, believe these roles are reserved for men.
In obedience to Christ, we are committed to mission and evangelism through the power of the Holy Spirit.
All of our clergy are entirely self-supporting. If you feel able to make a donation towards our work, please email on the Contact Us link. We will respond by return email and will thus ensure that your gift is directed to the mission area that is of greatest concern to you. Thank you for your kind gift offer.
The late Bishop, The Rt Rev’d Dr Peter A Compton-Caputo
The late Bishop, The Rt Rev’d Dr Peter A Compton-Caputo, founded the Anglican Independent Communion Worldwide in 1997. Born in Manhattan in 1934, he attended local schools before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1951, serving for 5½ years. He then became a police officer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before moving into local government roles across Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.
+Peter’s church career began in Schenectady, New York. After training, he was ordained a Deacon in the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States (EUSCA) in January 1977. He delayed becoming a Priest, enjoying the role of Deacon without the responsibilities of parish leadership, saying he had ‘all the fun without the responsibility!’
Departure from ECUSA and move to England
A traditionalist, +Peter grew disillusioned as the Episcopal Church abandoned biblical morality, embraced political correctness, and undermined Christianity as a revealed faith. The final straw was its acceptance of female priests. Refusing to compromise, he joined like-minded clergy in leaving ECUSA. +Peter moved to England, where the Church of England appointed him Assistant Curate at St Peter’s Church, Meavy, Devon. He later returned to the United States.
The traditional Episcopal Church Maryland
Back in the USA, +Peter joined an Anglican Franciscan monastery. In 1985, he was called out by the Presiding Bishop to establish a new congregation in Annapolis, Maryland, under the Traditional Episcopal Church. He not only recruited a congregation but also secured a place of worship—a disused chapel at the junction of General’s Highway and Crownsville Road, Crownsville. With the help of friends, he purchased and restored the historic Church of St Paul, which became his Episcopal seat. In 1993, he was consecrated as a Bishop within the traditional Episcopal Church.
Birth of the Anglican Independent Communion
In 1997, St Paul’s Church withdrew from the group due to internal issues, leading to the founding of the Anglican Independent Communion. +Peter was joined by other disillusioned congregations across the United States and beyond.
Securing the Succession
In July 2001, +Peter invited The Rt Rev’d Dr Norman S. Dutton, consecrated as Bishop in Anglia (England) at St Paul’s Crownsville in 1999, to become Co-adjutor Bishop and his designated successor. Though reluctant due to the distance between England and the US, +Norman accepted due to +Peter’s declining health. It was also agreed that Archdeacon John W. Gains, Rector of St James’ Anglican Parish, Delaware, would be consecrated as a Bishop in the US to ease +Peter’s workload.
The consecration took place at St Paul’s, with Bishops Norman S. Dutton and Colin R. Tatem acting as Co-consecrators in absentia. Just weeks later, on 15 August 2001, +Peter passed away due to complications from diabetes. He was laid to rest in the cemetery at his beloved St Paul’s Chapel.
Leadership Transitions
After Bishop Peter’s passing, the Communion’s Bishops agreed, pending Church and Clergy approval, to divide the Communion into Provinces for easier administration.
Archbishop Dr Norman Dutton(2003-2007)
On 1 November 2003, at St Raphael’s Church, Moseley, Birmingham, the Clericus of the Anglican Independent Communion in the British Isles & Europe voted to change the title of Presiding Bishop to Metropolitan Archbishop. The Most Rev’d Dr Norman S. Dutton was elected and installed as the first Metropolitan Archbishop, a role recognised by all Provinces.
Dr Patricio Roble (2007-2011)
In 2007, The Most Rev’d Dr Patricio Viveros Robles O.S.B., Th.D, Ph.D., Archbishop of the Latin America Province, was consecrated as Metropolitan and Primate of the Anglican Independent Communion Worldwide.
Archbishop Dr Peter McInnes(2008-2017)
The Very Rev’d Peter McInnes was consecrated Bishop on 16 September 2006. He was elected Metropolitan Chancellor of AICW (15/9/07–31/3/08) and then Archbishop and Presiding Bishop for Australia (31/3/08) by the International College of Archbishops.
Archbishop Dr Jorge Rodrigues Escobar, (2011-2013)
In December 2011, The Most Rev’d Dr Jorge Roderiguez Escobar was consecrated as Metropolitan and Primate of the Anglican Independent Communion Worldwide at the AICW Convention.
Archbishop Dr Clive Read (2013 -)
In July 2013, Archbishop Dr Jorge Roderiguez Escobar abdicated, and Archbishop Dr Clive Read assumed leadership in Spain.
Archbishop Charles May, Chairman, (2017- )
On 7 October 2017, Bishop Charles May was elected Chairman & Administrator of the Anglican Independent Communion Australia.
Ordination of Women
Click here to read why women are not permitted to be ordained.