History & Identity
Ancient liberty. Apostolic continuity. Old Catholic faith rooted in Utrecht since 695 AD.
Our History and Identity
Saint Francis Parish & Outreach stands in the Old Catholic heritage of the historic Church of Utrecht in the Netherlands, whose roots reach back to 695 AD. We understand ourselves not as a modern invention, but as part of an ancient Catholic tradition shaped by apostolic continuity, sacramental life, and the enduring liberty of the Church of Utrecht.
Our identity is Old Catholic in the historic sense: catholic in faith, apostolic in ministry, sacramental in worship, and grounded in the life of the undivided Church. We look to the ancient Church, the creeds, the sacraments, and the apostolic ministry as the foundation of our life together.
Rooted in Utrecht, in the Netherlands
Our spiritual and historical roots are found in Utrecht, in the Netherlands, where the Church’s mission and episcopal heritage are traced to Saint Willibrord in 695 AD. From that beginning, the Church of Utrecht came to be known for its ancient liberties, its local ecclesial rights, and its enduring witness within the Catholic tradition.
For us, this history matters because it reminds us that Catholic identity is not dependent upon novelty or recent ecclesiastical fashion. It is received, preserved, and handed on in continuity with the historic Church.
The Ancient Liberty of Utrecht
The phrase “ancient liberty of Utrecht” expresses an important truth about our heritage. The Church of Utrecht possessed a long-standing identity and recognized rights of self-governance within the life of the Church. In this understanding, the Old Catholic witness does not begin as a break with the faith, but as a continuation of ancient Catholic life and order.
We therefore understand our tradition as one of endurance, not novelty; continuity, not reinvention. Our claim is not that we created a new church, but that we stand in an older Catholic inheritance that long predates later centralized claims.
Not Part of the Union of Utrecht
We state this plainly and without ambiguity: Saint Francis Parish & Outreach is not part of the Union of Utrecht. While our roots are historically Old Catholic and grounded in the ancient Church of Utrecht in the Netherlands, we do not belong to the Union of Utrecht and should not be confused with it.
Our identity is derived from the historic Old Catholic tradition itself, not from membership in the Union of Utrecht. When we speak of our Utrecht heritage, we are speaking of the ancient liberty, apostolic continuity, and Catholic witness that form our ecclesial foundation.
Apostolic and Catholic
We are Old Catholic because we remain committed to the apostolic faith, the sacramental life of the Church, and the continuity of episcopal ministry. We are Catholic because we confess the faith of the creeds, celebrate the sacraments, and stand in the historic life of the Church. We are Old because our roots lie in the ancient Church and not in recent innovations.
This means that our parish life is shaped by reverent worship, pastoral care, fidelity to the Gospel, and confidence that the ancient faith still speaks with power in the present day.
Who We Are Today
At Saint Francis Parish & Outreach, this inheritance is not merely historical. It is lived in worship, pastoral care, and parish life. As an inclusive and affirming Old Catholic church, we seek to be a safe space for all people, welcoming LGBTQIA+ persons, immigrants, and all who come seeking Christ and his Church. We practice an open communion and do not deny the sacraments to those who seek the grace of God.