A History of the Episcopal Church Schism in South Carolina

“Dr. Caldwell has given us a deep and wide account of a church conflict where the time-honored Episcopal ‘middle way’ was sacrificed on the altar of ideology. It is a tortuous story, but leads one fervently to hope that such truth-seeking will pave the way for eventual reconciliation.


—Henry N. Parsley, Jr., Bishop of Alabama (ret.)





“A thorough and balanced study of the events that led not only to the schism among Episcopalians in South Carolina, but in four other dioceses as well.  There is something of interest for anyone interested in the history of American religion, the Episcopal Church, or contemporary reactions to the liberalism in mainstream denominations.”


—Joan R. Gundersen, Archivist, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh





“The genius of Caldwell’s thorough treatment of the South Carolina schism is that he possesses a thorough understanding of how such issues as homosexuality, race, Prayer Book revision, the ministries of women—and the courts’ rulings on matters of church and state—affected the overall situation. He also demonstrates profound insight into how each diocesan bishop influenced this important period of church history.”


—Harold T. Lewis, rector emeritus, Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, author of The Recent Unpleasantness





“Dr. Caldwell’s narrative of this critical moment in Episcopal Church history is fast-paced and compelling, a rare achievement in such a comprehensive effort. . . . I couldn’t help thinking of David M. Potter’s classic work, The Impending Crisis: 1848–1861, on the events, politics, and personalities that led our nation to war over whether we would stay together or go our separate ways.”


—Andrew Waldo, Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina





“Caldwell’s book is indispensable for scholars of church history and social change. It offers a detailed examination of how contemporary ideas of theological purity effect broad church Anglicanism. The author effectively identifies underlying causes, direct causes, and initiating events. At the same time, he raises questions regarding the perils of ideological purity, authoritarian disoceasan power structure, conspiracy, church property, and the quality of South Carolina’s circuit courts. “


---Samuel J. Richards Zurich International School / Zurich, Switzerland